Update on Status of Vaccine Availability | Western Cape Government

News

News

Update on Status of Vaccine Availability

18 September 2013

In the Western Cape controlled stock of measles, hepatitis and polio vaccines are allocated to healthcare facilities so that children that have not been immunised with the antigens can be administered these vaccines.

On-going quality assurance for vaccines to be released to both the public and private sector is conducted by the National Control Laboratory. As vaccines pass quality control these will be released for patient use.

Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, says: “Biovac notified the National Department of Health of the impending shortage in July this year. Provinces were made aware of the impending shortage, but no press release was issued by the National Department of Health and communication with regards to the impending vaccine shortages appears not to have reached the National Minister of Health.”

“The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa, confirmed the national shortage in an SMS to me after I raised the matter with her at the visit to the Gugulethu CHC on Friday,” said Minister Botha. 

Stabilisation in the supply of the aforementioned vaccines will resume in October 2013.

Despite media reports, only two health facilities in the Western Cape experienced shortages. They are Gustrouw Community Day Centre (CDC) in Strand and Mfuleni CDC.  According to Sinjani data, no other health care facility experienced vaccine shortages.

Media Enquiries: 

Hélène Rossouw
Spokesperson for Theuns Botha, Western Cape Minister of Health
Tel: 021 483 4426
E-mail: helene.rossouw@westerncape.gov.za