Thulare says vaccines won’t be available to everyone immediately and that there needs to be a system of prioritisation that will allow the health department to distribute the vaccine based on what they have at hand.

“Those that are considered to be essential for societal function need to be prioritised,” says Thulare. This includes those that are at most risk of getting infected such as people that are above the age of 60, people with co-morbidities, people living in overcrowded settings and those that are at most risk of transmitting the virus to others.

"It is going to make us as in government to work together and much more effectively. The strategy has already been developed, the IMC will be dealing with the mechanics of ensuring that the process of distribution is well done," said Ramaphosa. He once again reiterated government’s committed to inoculate 65% of the population by the end of the year. Ramaphosa concluded that it’s the biggest task the government has ever embarked on.

Jacaranda