Dual-listed Sibanye-Stillwater has, despite recent disruptions in parts of South Africa, made significant progress with the roll-out of its Covid-19 vaccination programme.

In accordance with the South African Department of Health (DoH) guidelines and protocols, the group has vaccinated over 10 000 of its employees, or about 12% of its South African workforce, since June 25.

Following the success of the initial phase, the vaccine programme is being extended to another four of the group’s healthcare facilities in three provinces – Gauteng, North West and the Free State – with the capacity to administer 2 500 vaccines daily.

This, Sibanye said on July 22, is sufficient based on the number of vaccines that the group is currently receiving.

Subject to DoH approvals and the availability of additional vaccines, Sibanye is prepared to accelerate the rollout to its more than 80 000-strong South African workforce, their dependants and doorstep community members.

Sibanye CEO Neal Froneman said preparations for the vaccine roll out programme began well before DoH accreditation and included training of healthcare employees, acquiring suitable vaccine refrigeration and preparing and implementing appropriate protocols.

“We fully endorse the national vaccination roll out campaign and, if provided with sufficient vaccines, will be able to significantly advance the roll out by using our other available healthcare facilities,” he added.

Meanwhile, midtier platinum group metals (PGMs) miner Royal Bafokeng Platinum has also started administering Covid-19 vaccines to its employees through its Maseve Clinic, in Rustenburg, following accreditation from the DoH.

The workplace vaccination site will be run under the auspices of the DoH, and vaccinations take place in line with the strict guidelines and protocols, the miner said in a statement on July 22.

“We plan to roll out the vaccine to our about 10 000 employees and permanent contractors, in line with the government-approved age categories. At this stage, we are targeting at least 200 employees a day and will review this number as we progress,” said CEO Steve Phiri.

RBPlat’s Maseve Clinic was identified as a suitable RBPlat vaccination site and was refurbished at a cost of about R1-million, which included new ablution facilities, a secure pharmacy area, provision of emergency power supply, cold storage facilities, waste handling system, waiting and parking areas and the necessary furniture and fittings.

The site will be managed by RBPlat and its medical services provider, Platinum Health, and will operate under the strict guidelines of the DoH with respect to loading of employees onto the national Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS), the procurement of vaccines from government and the delivery of vaccination services according to the government-approved age categories.

“All our clinic staff have been trained to complete the personal information uploads on the EVDS and are trained and certified through the DoH to be Covid-19 vaccinators,” Phiri said.

RBPlat is hopeful that it can extend the vaccination programme to its communities and employees’ dependents in the near future.