R33m at risk as vaccines reach expiry date
Over the next four days around 80 000 Pfizer vaccine doses
will need to be used up or they'll go to waste.
The Health Department says they will reach their expiry date at end of this month.
It says R33 million spent on jabs is at risk of going down the drain because of low turnout at vaccination sites.
The first and second Covid-19 shots are still being administered while booster jabs are also available ahead of winter.
In KZN, Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has roped in local celebrities and football stars to encourage the Newcastle community to get vaccinated.
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Speaking at the vaccination campaign on Saturday, Simelane said the northern KZN town has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the province.
"When you see the number of people that we've spoken to and are not vaccinated you realised what is was necessary for us to come here, and you realise why Newcastle numbers are so low.
"We received a number of confirmations in terms of the myths that we know are making the rounds and the young people on social media are the ones who aren't vaccinating so those are the things we clarify and give examples and immediately once that is done people are comfortable to vaccinate."
