South Africa to enter next vaccine phase in July: Kubayi-Ngubane
South Africa's Covid-19 vaccine programme is about to enter its next phase.
All those aged 50 and over will be given the opportunity to register for the jab from 1 July.
During a media briefing on Friday morning, Acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said the vaccination rollout will then begin on 15 July.
"I am pleased to announce that the IMC on vaccine approved that from 1 July 2021 we will open registrations for all citizens aged 50 years and above and we will schedule those vaccinations to begin on 15 July. I encourage all these citizens to register and vaccinate."
She said government is concerned about the low turnout for the second phase, which saw jabs being administered to people aged 60 and over.
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Kubayi-Ngubane said she's aware there's vaccine hesitancy, which is why they will be taking some of the shots to people.
"We are very worried that the demand from the 60+ age group is reducing exponentially. As a group that is most at risk, we cannot give up on netting the vast majority of this group.
"We understand that this manifestation is a combination of high vaccine hesitancy in this group and difficultly accessing the technology to register, as well as the vaccination centres.
"We are now finalising plans to take vaccines to the people to ensure that we find all our senior citizens and vaccinate them."
