Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Evds

latest news & developments
One in 10 clinics in South Africa will start to hand out a twice-a-year anti-HIV jab as early as February. The country’s medicines regulator, Sahpra, says it’s on track to announce its registration decision within the next few days, by the end of October. So who should get LEN first? (Anna-Maria van Niekerk)
AARON MOTSOALEDI

The six-monthly anti-HIV jab could be in 360 clinics by February. Who should get the first doses?

The country’s medicines regulator Sahpra says it’s on track to announce its registration decision by the end of October

  • Mia Malan
10 min read
Long shot?: In April next year, South Africa plans to start rolling out an anti-HIV jab, taken only twice a year, that could end Aids in the country within 14 to 18 years. But is our public health system equipped to keep track of millions, who are on the shot? (Unsplash)
AIDS

The six-monthly anti-HIV jab is coming. But can SA keep track of millions of users?

The shot, called Lenacapavir, has a 100% success rate in preventing young women from getting HIV through sex

  • Ida Jooste
  • Mia Malan
10 min read
Hospital admissions in Africa have increased by 67% during the period but the bed occupancy rate for intensive care units remains low at 7.5%, with 14% of the patients receiving supplemental oxygen. (Photo by Sergei SavostyanovTASS via Getty Images)
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Data shows there’s a higher risk of landing up in ICU or dying if you’re not vaccinated

The effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines is becoming clear from the difference in the number of people admitted to hospital between those who have received at least one vaccine…

  • Marcia Zali
4 min read
The court strongly criticised last month’s statement by the department of correctional services that Zuma was a free man.
ARMS DEAL

Zuma wants to go to jail. Perhaps

After all, it would be hard to appear on the arms deal corruption case if he were serving time for contempt of court and the Zondo inquiry

  • Paddy Harper
4 min read
A local analysis found early evidence of promising protective effects of the Pfizer vaccine in South Africa — even among those who had received only one dose. (Photo by Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
ASPEN PHARMACARE

The EVDS will schedule your appointments six weeks apart. Here’s why

South Africa has doubled the interval for the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. We take a look at what other countries have done and the evidence for the move

  • Aisha Abdool Karim
  • Joan Van Dyk
8 min read
CORONAVIRUS

What happens when you walk into a vaccination site? We break it down

The health department has issued new guidance on how South Africa’s Covid-19 vaccination sites should handle ‘walk-ins’.

  • Mohale Moloi
  • Aisha Abdool Karim
5 min read
People who have been vaccinated have to wait in the area for between 15 and 30 minutes to be monitored for potential vaccine-related side-effects. (Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism)
BETA VARIANT

What is it like to get a Covid-19 vaccine? We take you on a tour of a Johannesburg site

What does the inside of a vaccination centre look like and how do nurses administer the jab? The vials, syringes, the vaccinators — and the science behind it

  • Mia Malan
8 min read
ASYLUM SEEKER

How long will you wait for a Covid-19 vaccination appointment? We answer 7 questions

The only way to book an appointment for a Covid-19 jab is to register on the government’s electronic vaccination system

  • Mia Malan
7 min read
ANGELIQUE COETZEE

Sisonke J&J urges health personnel to remain calm as Covid vials run low at some hospitals

Health workers have been prioritised and the electronic data system tightened between the arrival of the first and second batches of vials

  • Chris Bateman
4 min read
ASTRAZENECA

Why the Eastern Cape might take longer to roll out vaccinations

As healthcare workers prepare for the arrival of the Covid-19 vaccine, the Eastern Cape is still verifying vaccination sites, which could delay the inoculation process until April

  • Chris Gilili
3 min read