BL Premium reports that Nicholas Crisp, deputy director-general for National Health Insurance, has defended the Department of Health’s (DOH’s) decision to enable special categories of people to apply for the Covid-19 vaccination ahead of schedule.

“The rationale is an economic one, for people who need to travel for work or study. I want to see equity, but you have to be a pragmatist as well. If someone is going to do a deal that will create jobs you don’t want to limit that. And if someone has signed up for an education programme you don’t want them not to complete their studies,” Crisp stated. The DOH ran into fierce criticism after issuing a circular on Sunday that set out categories of people who would be able to apply for exemption from the eligibility criteria for vaccination, which was currently restricted to people over the age of 50, healthcare workers, teachers and security personnel, and a limited number of workplace programmes. The department then issued a notice on Tuesday withdrawing the circular, but did not offer an immediate explanation. But Crisp said the withdrawal was temporary and the circular was being revised to clarify the criteria for people to be considered for a priority shot. It would be reissued shortly, he said. The categories in the circular released on Sunday included ministers, deputy ministers, premiers and MECS; SA diplomats and their families who have been posted overseas who wish to be vaccinated when they are in SA; individuals who need to travel outside SA for reasons such as business or study commitments, representing SA at sporting events, and seeking medical care; and individuals nominated by the president, health minister, or health director-general.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (paywall access only)

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