Health
With reference to wasted vaccines, including spoiled COVID-19 vaccines:
(a) What is the (i) percentage and (ii) total number of wasted COVID-19 vaccines in the province from the start of the phase 1b rollout until the latest date for which information is available, (b) why did the wastage of vaccines occur and (c) what are the details of the efforts implemented to (i) minimise and (ii) monitor the waste of vaccines in the province?
(a) A 5% buffer is factored into the estimates for doses to make provision for wastage. The Western Cape has to date (as at 16 July) received 742 820 vaccines as part of Phase 2 and the 5% buffer equates to 37 141 doses provisioned for wastage.
(b) Vaccine wastage occurs in all vaccination programmes and is unavoidable. As per the Covid-19 implementation framework (Circular H81 of 2021), a 5% buffer is factored into the estimates for doses to make provision for wastage.
(i) Vaccinators are provided with comprehensive training and access to training updates that cover syringe filling practices to minimise any wastage. As the vaccination programme continues to be rolled out, any wastage will reduce as vaccinators become more adept at the skill and process required to ensure that the required number of doses are obtained from each vial. Stringent adherence to the required cold chain measures and constant monitoring of the cold chain, contribute to minimising any vaccine wastage that may occur as a result of temperature excursions. This is applied at the Cape Medical Depot, at the vaccine storage site, at the vaccination site and in transit.
(ii) The province is implementing the Stock Visibility System (as required by the National Department of Health) to monitor vaccine and track any possible wastage which may occur.
