Thread by @miamalan

[Thread] 1. How does the government decide who gets a vaccination appointment first? It’s first in, first out. So the earlier you register on the EVDS within the category you fall, the sooner you’ll get an sms with a date, time and place. bit.ly/33NeL0s

2. NB to note: You can only register when @HealthZA
tells you to. If you’re not a #HealthWorker or person of 60+, it wouldn’t help to register now. If you live in a crowded setting/you’re 40+, you’ll be the next categories asked to register. bit.ly/33NeL0s

3. Where do comorbidities fit in? For now, you can't get earlier access to jabs if you have a comorbidity. Age and your likelihood of getting infected is used to determine who comes 1st. That’s why we’re starting off with #HealthWorkers and people of 60+. bit.ly/33NeL0s

4. Why are we using age to prioritise vaccinations? Research shows it's the strongest predictor of how likely someone is to end up in hospital or die of #COVID. According to the CDC 80% of #COVID19 deaths occur in people of 65+, and 95% in people 45+. bit.ly/33NeL0s

5. Because many #COVID comorbidities such as #diabetes are more likely to affect middle-aged and older people, a sizable proportion of comorbidities would be covered if older people are vaccinated first. bit.ly/33NeL0s

6. In South Africa, people of 40+ make up the bulk of people living with #COVID comorbidities (such as high blood pressure or diabetes), according to the South African Medical Research Council.bit.ly/33NeL0s

7. Which #HealthWorkers will be vaccinated first this week? Those working in the public sector, says the health department. Then those working at private healthcare institutions and after that those who work from home. bit.ly/33NeL0s

8. #ZweliMkhize said on Sunday all 700 000 #HealthWorkers not covered by #Sisonke will be vaccinated this week. Will that happen? Unlikely. There are just too many challenges. It’s more likely to take two to three weeks. bit.ly/33NeL0s