Government’s COVID-19 vaccination programme is ramping up, with the Department of Health (DOH) announcing today that registration for those aged between 35 and 49 years will open next week.
This comes after the DOH announced last month that registration for the 50 years and above population will open on 1 July and vaccinations administered from 15 July.
The DOH has made it possible for qualifying persons to register for vaccination through its electronic vaccination data system portal, popular messaging service WhatsApp, USSD and a toll-free hotline.
Acting health minister Mammoloko Kubayi said during the virtual media briefing that in addition to the persons aged 50 and above, registration for persons between the ages of 35 and 49 will on open on 15 July. “They will start vaccination from the 1st of August 2021.”
She also revealed that vaccines will also be administered over weekends, following a bilateral meeting with National Treasury to discuss for funding for the vaccination programme.
“We believe this will increase the capacity and the work that needs to be done in vaccinating,” she stated. “Our target for this is the 1st of August 2021, and my appeal to the team is to achieve this target.”
The acting health minister appealed to South Africans to work with in the fight against the pandemic. “We want you to help us because we can’t do this alone. As we open for more age groups, please South Africans, this is your opportunity take it up.
“When you go take your neighbour, ask the person next to you if they are in the same age group that has been opened, whether they will need a lift or whether they will need information on how to access the vaccine.
“Let’s work together to ensure that we vaccinate the nation and we protect South Africa.”
Just over three million people have been vaccinated, to date. Government hopes to inoculate 46.2 million South Africans in order to reach herd immunity.
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