Author: svadmin

Posted on

J&J single-dose vaccine ‘effective against Delta variant’

The President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council, Professor Glenda Gray, has assured South Africans that the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is effective against the Delta variant, which is currently dominant in the country.

“Data from the Sisonke Study conducted among healthcare workers is showing that the J&J vaccine is effective, and reduces your risk of severe disease, hospitalisation, and death,” Gray said at a briefing on Friday.

Gray said the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has noted concerns from the public about the efficacy of the J&J vaccine against the Delta variant. These concerns largely stem from research conducted by New York University researchers, which showed that the single-dose J&J vaccine was far less effective at preventing Coronavirus infections from the Delta and Lambda variants.

Gray pointed out that the results from this research are from experiments conducted with blood samples in a laboratory in the United States.

“We’re hearing reports that people want a boost, and that the J&J vaccine doesn’t work against the Delta variant.

“However, we want to tell you – from South Africa, from our experience – that we have evidence locally that the vaccine works against the Delta variant,” Gray said, adding that both the J&J and Pfizer vaccines work against the Delta variant.

Gray additionally cited a Harvard University study, which showed that the immune responses are long-lasting, even up to eight months, demonstrating that “a boost is not needed at this stage”.

Gray insists that the single-dose vaccine is active against the Beta and the Delta variants of concern, while full vaccination with Pfizer increases protection as well.

“We’ve had a terrible pandemic, terrible excess deaths and we’ve lost our loved ones, friends and colleagues. We need to ensure we… use our vaccine strategy to control the pandemic in South Africa.”

According to the Professor, since the outbreak, the country has recorded over 200 000 excess deaths related to the pandemic.

She believes that the only way to control the spread of the virus is through global immunisation.

“Everybody does need to be vaccinated, not just 20% or 30%, but everybody,” she said.

Gray said 26.8% of the world’s population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, accounting for about 3.17 billion doses.

“The risk-benefit favours vaccination over not being vaccinated.”

Rare side-effects

Gray said there have been rare but serious side-effects that have been reported with the use of the vaccines.

These include myocarditis (or heart inflammation) that is linked to mRNA vaccine or Pfizer, while the J&J vaccine has been associated with thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, which caused the Sisonke Study to be halted for two weeks.

Most recently, Gray said Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been associated with these vaccines.

“I also want to tell you that if you look at the rate per vaccination per side effect, you can see that the benefit of getting the vaccine is better.”

GBS is defined as the condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves.

Gray said the condition has also been linked to other vaccines, including influenza and childhood shots.

She said GBS might cause muscle weakness, which could lead to difficulties in physical exertion, including things such as climbing stairs.

“If it does happen, it’s important to seek medical care because you can manage it. The risk is higher in men and those over 50-years-old,” she explained.

However, she reiterated that both the J&J and Pfizer do save lives.

Mild side-effects

In addition, other well-known complications may include pain or swelling in the arm, fever, fatigue, headache or simply feeling ill, which usually resolves after a few days.

“If you feel that you’re having side effects and that you’re feeling unwell after the vaccination, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider,” she advised.

Long-term effects

In addition, she said serious side-effects that could cause long-term health problems are extremely unlikely following any vaccination, including COVID-19.

“Vaccine monitoring has historically shown that side-effects generally happen within six weeks of receiving a vaccine dose and it’s unlikely to happen after six weeks.

“Millions of people have received COVID-19 vaccines, and no long-term side effects have been detected,” she said.

Globally, Gray said they will continue to closely monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

“If scientists find a connection between a safety issue and a vaccine, the regulators and the vaccine manufacturers will work toward an appropriate solution to address the specific safety concern.”

Source: South African Government News Agency

Posted on

Court dismisses application to interdict SIU NLC investigation

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed the Pretoria High Court’s dismissal with costs of an application seeking to interdict the SIU from investigating or questioning a woman about R27 million her organisation received from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).

In a statement, the SIU said Liesel Joy Moses, a beneficiary of NLC funding, applied for an urgent court interdict to prohibit the SIU from questioning her about the R27.2 million her organisation received in 2016.

The unit alleges that Moses, together with her lawyer Lesley Ramulifho, applied for NLC funding on behalf of Denzhe Primary Care to build a drug rehabilitation centre in Pretoria.

“It is alleged that the funds received from NLC were not used for the purpose it was requested for but instead benefited individuals,” reads the statement.

The SIU subpoenaed Moses on 31 May 2021 and informed her that the unit was investigating allegations of corruption, irregularities, maladministration and improper or unlawful conduct of the NLC employees, together with payments made by NLC.

“Moses appeared with her lawyer and requested a 14-day postponement, which the SIU granted but later requested yet another postponement, something the SIU refused to entertain.

“The SIU wishes to question Moses and obtain documents relating to Denzhe in order to enable the Unit to determine whether there was any impropriety or unlawfulness in the allocation of the funding.”

The NLC investigation follows the signing of proclamation R32 of 2020 by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 6 November authorising the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of NLC, and to recover any financial losses suffered by the State or NLC.

The proclamation authorises the SIU to use all its legislative powers to subpoena bank statements and cellphone records, search and seize evidence, and interrogate witnesses under oath in an effort to hold those responsible for the State or NLC’s financial losses to account for their actions.

Where criminal conduct is uncovered during investigations, the SIU will refer the evidence to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), as well as the Hawks in the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further action.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Posted on

Electoral Commission to approach Electoral Court on deferral

The Electoral Commission chairperson, Glen Mashinini, says the Commission is going to approach the Electoral Court to seek a just and equitable order for the deferral of the municipal elections to a date not later than February 2022.

“Until a court of competent jurisdiction has determined the application for deferral, all other planned electoral activities will proceed,” Mashinini said on Friday at a media briefing.

Mashinini said the Electoral Commission has carefully considered and resolved to adopt the final report of the ‘Inquiry into Ensuring Free and Fair Elections during COVID-19’ by former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke.

“As part of the way forward, the Commission will also consult with key stakeholders regarding the implications of the report,” Mashinini said.

Mashinini said the Commission accepts the rationale and the central thesis of the report, that greater immunity through mass vaccination is a desirable precondition for a safe, free and fair election to be realised.

Last week, the Electoral Commission received the final report of the Inquiry into Ensuring Free and Fair Elections during COVID-19 from Moseneke.

The report found that it was not reasonably possible or likely that the Local Government Elections, scheduled for October 2021, would be free and fair, and recommended that the Electoral Commission approach a court of competent jurisdiction to seek a just and equitable order for the deferral of the elections to a date not later than February 2022.

Mashinini said consultation will be sought with Parliament, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and National Treasury regarding the financial implications of the recommendations embodied in the report.

“In so far as the recommendations pertain, the Commission will adjust implementation to accord with current legal prescripts and financial means. Where there are substantial financial implications, National Treasury will be approached for additional funding,” Mashinini said.

Mashinini thanked the Moseneke Inquiry, saying it has greatly assisted in airing all the various views of political parties, civil society organisations, the public, media. and health and medical experts around this complex issue.

Mashinini said the new dates for the voter registration weekend will be announced in due course.

The Commission therefore resolved to urgently brief Senior Counsel to launch an application in a court of competent jurisdiction to seek judicial authorisation to conduct the election outside of the constitutionally prescribed time periods, and immediately postpone the upcoming voter registration weekend, scheduled for 31 July and 1 August, to a later date.

“This decision is grounded on health concerns, the current Adjusted Level 4 restrictions and the epidemiological projections… Furthermore, the current persisting high levels of COVID-19 infections and mortality in the country are matters considered for this decision to defer the voter registration weekend,” Mashinini said.

He reminded all eligible voters that the online registration facility launched recently will continue to provide a safe, convenient and easy way to register as a voter and to update existing registration details.

Since its launch on 14 July, more than 10 367 voters have already successfully used the system to register or change registration details on https://registertovote.elections.org.za.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Posted on

Ikosi Mahlangu hailed for his activism

Ikosi Sipho Mahlangu has been hailed for advocating and advancing the agenda of land, people in rural areas, women and youth.

The late Ikosi, of the Ndzundza Mabusa Traditional Council, served as chairperson of Parliament’s National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) passed away last week.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, delivered the eulogy at the monarch’s funeral service on Friday.

“Even though he could have basked in the glory, he chose to be a foot soldier in our fight against hunger, poverty, inequality, unemployment, landlessness and gender based violence and femicide.”

She expressed pride at having been led by Inkosi uMahlangu.

“He led without fear or favour, he led by his conviction.”

The King was the youngest leader of both the provincial and national house. He ascended the latter in 2015.

“He was also witness to the evils and brutalities of the Apartheid South African Police establishment. And of course, he emerged from that. It was always his wish that a monument of stone of remembrance be erected in memory of those gruesome battles,” Dlamini-Zuma said.

The King was also a custodian of the agenda for the return of land to the landless.

In a 2018 media interview, he said he would fight any advanced opposition that seeks to separate black South Africans from the land.

The Minister said the King’s conviction to the land issue was not for his sake, “but he recognised that land is an essential asset for the development of the rural masses”.

“For him, that birth right is the non-negotiable by which our people can be commanders of their own destiny, and securing prosperity and food security.”

She lauded the monarch for his innovative ‘farm in the box’ initiative that enables peri-urban communities with limited access to land to plant and produce their own fruits and vegetables.

“By the time we launched the Invest Rural Masterplan in the North West in February this year, one could sense [the] impatience. For him the masterplan was a practical step by which he called that developmental monarchs could carve out their transformative role in our society,” she said.

For him and the NHTKL, the masterplan was fundamental to the radical transformation of the structure and ownership patterns of the economy. He believed that the plan had to be aligned with the President’s observations on economic transformation and must be underpinned in the economic future that will need to be crafted.

Opportunities for women and young people

Dlamini-Zuma also hailed Mahlangu for having understood the centrality of the skills revolution in meeting the objectives of the masterplan.

“His energies were invested in encouraging and finding opportunities for young people, and women in key economic sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, as well as arts, culture, and heritage.

Government also sought to align the document with society wide initiatives, such as the District Development Model.

She said Mahlangu understood that it was only through alignment of coordinated efforts that the aspirations of the rural masses could find economic expression.

She added that as malls destroyed in the recent public unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal began to rebuild, the participation of young people and women was important.

This, she said, would empower local communities, including cooperatives and SMMEs.

“This will enable community members to truly see these structures as also important local assets. This will also contribute to our fight against hunger, poverty, unemployment and inequality.

Two months after the launch of the masterplan, the CoGTA on Thursday launched the first project, a biomed factory in Isthebe, Mandeni, in KwaZulu-Natal.

During his chairpersonship of the house, the King met with Minister of Finance to discuss the remuneration of traditional leaders, the launch of the South African laptop, the macadamia nut farm projects in the Eastern Cape, the Maqoma citrus project as well as the Invest Rural Roadshow in the North West, among others.

Addressing gender-based violence

She said the King was someone who stood at the forefront of the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), long before many men were willing to be associated with that fight.

“He was one of the first traditional leaders to convene a men’s dialogue aimed at addressing the silent scourge of GBVF. He contributed to loudly blowing the whistle against what the President calls the second pandemic. Our fight against GBVF has lost a capable leader.”

During a GBV dialogue last year, the King committed to transform the sector, protect and cherish women, and empower them by giving more opportunities to the girl-child.

“In his honour, we must redouble our empowerment efforts. We must also ensure that the South African boys and men are shaped in his mould. They must be exemplary boys and men who lift your hand or impose no financial or emotional abuse against females and children,” said the Minister.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Posted on

NSFAS disburses funds to 623 386 students

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has outlined the funding allocations for universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges in relation to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

“To date, NSFAS has disbursed allowances to a total of 623 386 students as per the data submitted by institutions. This number represents at least 48.5% of the total number of overall eligible students,” the Minister said.

Addressing a media briefing on Friday, Nzimande said the number of students assessed as eligible for the 2021 programme cycle is 1 286 867, with the total allocated for the university sector being 939 934 students and 346 933 students for the TVET Colleges.

These include new and continuing students.

“Because of the fact that not all eligible students may not eventually secure a space at an institution of higher learning, according to the data received for the 2021 academic year, 47% (444 609) of funding eligible university students have confirmed registration at institutions and this is evidenced through registration data submitted and processed by NSFAS,” Nzimande said.

Among the 444 609 students, at least 2% will not have their NSFAS funding confirmed as they fall within the category of registration data non-conformities/exceptions.

These students are found to be non-compliant based on the information received.

NSFAS has made two payments to universities since the start of the 2021 academic year.

“The first payment was made on 9 April 2021. NSFAS paid an advance amount of approximately R7.9 billion to cover March and April allowances to students at universities; and the second payment was made on 10 June 2021.

“A further R6.9 billion was paid over after a reconciliation was effected, based on the value of registration data received. This payment was made to cover the months of May, June and July 2021,” the Minister said.

Funding, registration and disbursements for TVETs

In relation to TVET colleges, NSFAS started making upfront payments to institutions in February 2021.

“Out of 365 191 students, there are 202 460 students who are funded for the first academic cycles that NSFAS has made a funding allocation for.

“While 223 410 students have been claimed for by colleges, 20 950 are identified as registration data exceptions which NSFAS categorised as multiple registrations and where students are changing courses which is in contravention of the TVET funding rules,” the Minister said.

NSFAS made provisional funding for 365 191 students to study in colleges for the 2021 programme.

He said a total of 223 410 students’ registration data records was received from institutions as at the end of June 2021 inclusive of Annual, Trimester 1, and Trimester 2.

“A total of 202 460 have been successfully processed and funded with 20 950 exceptions identified. NSFAS embarked on an exercise to confirm funding with institutions and only 17 TVET Colleges responded confirming that they have 7 903 outstanding registrations to be submitted for the first academic cycle ending June 2021,” the Minister said.

The reason for the registration exceptions is due to students changing academic courses, which is contrary to the Bursary Rules and Guidelines.

TVET Disbursements and Payments

There are 44 TVET colleges whose allowances are paid directly to the students through the NSFAS Wallet platform.

“NSFAS has been able to make payments to 183 422 students. There are 20 950 students who for various reasons still need to resolve outstanding requirements for their allowances to be approved.

“These students are in exceptions which largely consists of 13 276 that were initially incorrectly funded and had subsequently been resolved,” the Minister said.

Payments to a total of 4 461 students on the NSFAS wallet failed largely due to invalid or duplicated cell phone numbers, balance of students in exceptions of cancelled registrations, students de-registered and or late submission of data by institutions.

There are 20 991 students who have not created user profiles on the myNSFAS student portal.

“This is the biggest challenge confronting NSFAS which contributes largely to the NSFAS wallet payment failures,” said the Minister.

There are 180 293 students whom NSFAS attempted to pay using the NSFAS wallet system, 6 681 of which could not be paid because of locked accounts – which means the student may have forgotten their pins – and 336 have blocked accounts – meaning there was a failed attempt to unlock the account.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Posted on

Government to vaccinate higher education sector

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has announced the formal commencement of the COVID-19 vaccination programme for the post-schooling education and training sector (PSET).

Addressing the media on the COVID-19 vaccination roll out for the PSET sector, the Minister said government will be rolling out the Pfizer vaccine across all institutions in the major metros where there is good access to cold storage facilities.

“We will be rolling out J&J vaccines across our rural districts as this requires cold storage facilities at higher temperatures than Pfizer and other mRNA vaccines,” Nzimande said on Friday.

The vaccination of PSET staff that are 35 years of age and above will formally commence on Saturday, 24 July 2021. This age group, which comprises approximately 70% of all staff in the sector, is expected to be completed within a month.

“So tomorrow, some of our colleges and universities, such as the staff of False Bay Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College at a site in Woodstock, South West Gauteng TVET College at a site in Roodeport, Tshwane North TVET College at a site in Centurion, University of Johannesburg at a site in Midrand will commence vaccinations simultaneously.

“Higher Health has made provisions with each site fully dedicated to vaccinate about 300 to 1000 people per day per site. Higher Health will be supporting the sites on the days of vaccination,” the Minister said.

A further 12 additional sites across Johannesburg, Tshwane, Cape Town, Gqeberha and eThekwini starting will open from Monday, 26 July.

This will cover over 120 000 staff from universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges in the next two to three weeks.

“These same sites will be extended to private institutions, skills learning sector, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), National Skills Fund (NSF) with a range of skills development providers.

“In this coming week, Higher Health will open an additional 40 to 50 vaccination sites with the Department of Health, across all other districts, for staff populations between 600 and 4000 to be vaccinated,” the Minister said.

Through Higher Health, the department will connect each institution with the nearest Department of Health accredited site where vaccine supplies and vaccinators are in place.

“I therefore call on all staff from the age of 35 – fulltime, part-time, contracted staff (cleaning staff and security) and post-graduate students in teaching positions that are planned for this phase to come out in numbers to be vaccinated through the PSET and the community vaccination programme.

“Staff younger than 35 and students who live in residences, including in private accommodation, are earmarked for vaccination in Phase 2b that will kick start once the above 35 [year-olds] are completed,” the Minister said.

He emphasised the importance of everyone who becomes eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine to take up the chance to get vaccinated.

“There is a fundamental need to address the myths, fake news, misinformation and misconceptions around vaccination.

“Guided by the PSET vaccine plan, I have asked Higher Health to develop a comprehensive communication strategy that involves all stakeholders within the PSET sector so that jointly we can mitigate vaccine hesitancy and other misinformation prevalent in our communities and society at large,” the Minister said.

He said that vaccines used in South Africa have been proven to be effective and safe.

“I would like to remind all of us that the key principles of beating COVID have not changed: social distancing; minimising personal contact; wearing a mask; sanitising and now vaccinating,” the Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency