Phaahla: Govt discussing possibility of mandatory vaccinations
Health Minister Joe Phaahla says the issue of whether Covid-19 vaccinations should be made compulsory is being discussed - albeit with caution.
Phaahla's briefed he media on Friday morning on government's efforts in the fight against the pandemic and the national rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine.
"There's been suggestions which have been made by a number of influential people that we should consider a mandatory vaccination policy,” he said.
READ: South Africa has nearly 170 000 active Covid-19 cases
"This is a matter which we are very reluctant to venture into, but it's a matter which we are discussing at various forums to see whether this is an option. At this stage, it's just a suggestion which we are looking at."
The minister said the response for the vaccine from those between the ages of 18 and 34 has been overwhelming.
"On the first day on the 20th of August, we registered more than 560 000 people on the EVDS system."
READ: We should convince, not force people to get jabbed: Phaahla
