Blade Nzimande, the Higher Education Minister in the country, has been vaccinated against Covid-19.
The Minister received his vaccine at Edendale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
WATCH THE MINISTER GETTING HIS VACCINE BELOW
Minister @DrBladeNzimande gets his vaccination jab at the Edendale Hospital Vaccination Centre in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. #COVIDVaccination pic.twitter.com/kbfvfB1IrH
— HigherEduTrainingZA (@HigherEduGovZA) May 19, 2021
Higher Education said:
Minister Nzimande, like all South Africans, registered through the registration portal for Covid-19 vaccination for the over 60 years age group. This is part of South Africa’s Phase 2 of its COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
The Minister himself said that the arrival of vaccines should not suggest the relaxation of COVID-19 health protocols, which includes the wearing of masks, sanitisation and physical distancing. This is especially important as South Africa heads into the third wave.
Before receiving his vaccine, Nzimande was given a brief by healthcare workers.
Minister @DrBladeNzimande now at the Vaccination Centre getting a brief as he prepares himself for the vaccination jab. #vaccinationrollout pic.twitter.com/TbR7ADM6MW
— HigherEduTrainingZA (@HigherEduGovZA) May 19, 2021
Nzimande, who is also the Minister of Science and Innovation, said that he and his department has been tasked with producing a vaccine that comes from South Africa and to also work on developing vaccines for other diseases.
We have identified the capacity we have to develop our own vaccine and what needs to be done, including institutions we need to work with.
The Minister continued to say that he has made Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, aware that Universities and Colleges are able to be vaccination sites if needed.
