COVID-19 vaccines to arrive in KZN later this month, no tenders to be awarded for distribution

Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu said those processes have already been finalised by the national department. 

"National made sure that they will be distributed to the different centres in provinces and districts. So, no there is no tender that is going to be issued. No tender that is being considered at all." 

The Department briefed the media yesterday on the province's vaccine rollout plan. Simelane-Zulu says the jabs will be brought to KZN later this month, once they've been through quality checks. 

"We have decided to have that particular process separated into two different processes. There will be a vaccine that is going to be held at our provincial depot in eThekwini but every district will have its own centre where the vaccine will be delivered directly to," she said. 

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Meanwhile, Premier Sihle Zikalala has been outlining the province's rollout plan - which he says will be guided by the Health Department. 

"Phase one is divided into two that is focusing on the staff in direct contact with the patients and these are healthcare workers and support staff. Two, staff not in direct contact with patients and these are administrative and other staff. Provincial first beneficiaries are targeted as follows, the public sector healthcare staff which is about 67 644." 

One million jabs arrived in the country from India on Monday.

They've gone into a facility where they will be rigorously tested for quality before being distributed.