Youth will help increase Covid vaccine uptake - expert
Updated | By Xolani Khumalo
A medical specialist says while young people's enthusiasm to get vaccinated against Covid-19 might not necessarily bring down new infections, it will help increase vaccine uptake.
According to government, over half-a-million young South Africans registered for the jab when registration for the cohort opened earlier than had been planned on Friday.
This, as the latest figures show KwaZulu-Natal accounted for over 30 percent of new Covid-19 cases in the country, with 3 369 infections reported in the last day.
UKZN's Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation, Professor Mosa Moshabela, says the youth is key.
READ: KwaZulu-Natal accounts for 31% of new Covid-19 cases
"It will help us as a province to accelerate the uptake of vaccines in the province which had slowed down. But the youth might be able to help us increase that rate of vaccine uptake and prepare us for any eventuality that may come later on in the year."
In his weekly newsletter, President Cyril Ramaphosa said young people could help the country reach its vaccination targets.
He's praised them for turning up to get jabbed and says they are giving the country hope that the end of the hardship brought on by the pandemic is near.
Government says South Africa has passed the 10 million mark in the number of jabs administered.
It says half are fully vaccinated.
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