IFP wants urgent parliamentary debate on ‘slow’ vaccination drive

The request follows a decision by South Africa to temporarily put the brakes on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine rollout. 

 

The pause comes amid concerns about the adverse reaction of a handful of patients abroad.

 

The United States reported a total of six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the vaccine.

 

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), one US patient died from blood clotting complications while another is in critical condition.

 

The six affected women, aged between 18 to 48, are among a population of 6.8 million to have received the jab to date.

 

SA has so far administered the jab to almost 290 000 healthcare workers. 

 

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In a statement on Wednesday, the IFP describes the setback as a “looming crisis”. 

 

“This debate is warranted in terms of Rule 130(1), and calls for the House to debate this matter at its next available sitting. This past weekend, it was reported that only 38 people had been vaccinated,” the party said. 

 

“The announcement of the suspension by the Health Minister does not bode well for the public, nor does it instil any confidence in our government's ability to ensure that all South Africans will be safely inoculated by the end of this year. 

 

“We need to restore travel, tourism and seek any investments that will assist us to get jobs, get our young people working and uplift the most vulnerable in our society, who have suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic. To do this, we need vaccinations.”

 

The IFP said the country needs to reach herd immunity, open the economy and kick-start economic recovery.

 

“This vaccination drive is key to getting South Africa back to work. We await a response by Speaker Modise in this regard,” the party added.