Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says the number of people who were vaccinated at more than 80 sites nationwide on the first day of Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout will be announced on Tuesday.
Mkhize says despite some challenges, the start of Phase 2 proceeded reasonably well.
He says vaccinations at some sites were disrupted by Eskom’s current load shedding and the violent protests in the Free State.
Mkhize says a public dashboard that will publish the numbers in real time will be launched soon.
Vaccinating the elderly will not prevent COVID-19 infections: Dr Mkhize
Elderly urged to register
Mkhize visited the Munsieville Centre for Aged, in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, as part of the launch of Phase 2 of the vaccination programme.
While 87 vaccination centres began operating on Monday, Mkhize has said this figure will increase in the coming weeks.
Mkhize has encouraged the elderly to register for the vaccination.
“The co-morbidities are highest with people that are 60 and above, the next risky category is over 40 so if we target the 60 year old, then we are reducing the risk of sever infection, of death, of ICU. We will go to old age homes but we also have outreach programmes, there are many people to townships and villages who are not found in old age homes. There is collaboration with SASSA so we know how to target them” he says.
Over 4 000 senior citizens were expected to get their COVID-19 vaccine on Monday:
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