[deanhills]

I got my appointment for this morning and I did get my first AstraZeneca jab; second dose in 4 weeks!..

Congratulations!  Well done.  Did you experience any side effects?

Vaccination only started a week ago in South Africa and there are 60 million people here.  Future supply of vaccines is also slow, but at least it's moving along. Healthcare workers are first in line - rightfully so of course.  Together with persons of strategic importance in Government.  Then the elderly.  I think it will be a very long time before my turn comes.  Medical researchers are expecting a third wave of the virus to strike any time soon, so hope I will be able to survive this one too.

I heard on the news that in addition to Johnson & Johnson, the Government is negotiating with Pfizer as well.  This is the vaccine that had good results in Israel. Unfortunately though Pfizer has not been tested in South Africa yet, only in laboratory probably by Pfizer. It requires 2 doses and deep freeze refrigeration under specific conditions - not sure whether that is good for a third world country with a great shortage of medical equipment in rural and poorer city areas.  So am wondering whether this is wise.  Any way, by the time the backup vaccine Pfizer reaches my community, possibly there will be more information available about its efficacy for the South African 501Y.V2 strain of the virus.