South Africa begins second phase of Covid jabs
South Africa has started its second phase of Covid-19 vaccinations targeting people who are aged 60 years and above.
The country aims to inoculate five million citizens in that category by the end of June. It is also aiming to finish vaccinating the country’s 1.2 million healthcare workers this week.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said the country was due to receive 325,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine at midnight on Sunday, making the total doses of the Pfizer vaccine 975,780.
The health ministry said it was avoiding long queues in the second phase of the vaccine rollout by using an electronic vaccination data system - where people would register online and receive instructions through a text message.
The health ministry shared the news on Twitter:
For tomorrow we will not be able to accommodate walk-ins, going forward, we will be able to do so. The programme has been designed to avoid long queues. This is why it is important that people should register beforehand, and follow the instructions which they receive by SMS.
— Department of Health (@HealthZA) May 16, 2021
South Africa has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Africa - with more than 1.6 million infections and over 55,000 deaths.
This article originally appeared on BBC News
Photo: AFP