Health Department to boost Covid vaccination campaign

The Health Department is amplifying its COVID-19 vaccination and booster shots campaign. 

This follows the emergence of the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 in the country. 

Scientists detected the highly transmissible variant nicknamed Kraken over the weekend, after studying a sample collected from a patient in December. Health officials say there is no need to impose travel or internal restrictions. 

READ: Phaahla: No need for new Covid travel restrictions

The department held a briefing yesterday to ease concerns over the new variant. 

Minister Joe Phaahla says vaccinations form the bedrock of their plan to protect people against the virus. 

"The Committee will soon make adjustments to qualifications to boosters considering age and timelines between the boosters. So, we look at including boosters to not only people over 50 but also others from 18 and upwards."