SOUTH AFRICA - "INEVITABLE" COVID-19 4TH WAVE TO BE TRIGGERED BY FESTIVE SEASON AND MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, says the festive season coupled with the movement of people is expected to trigger the “inevitable” fourth wave of COVID-19 infections.

“This makes it more urgent that more and more people come forward to be vaccinated because we want everybody in our country to be protected from this inevitable fourth wave.

“If we all vaccinate, we can have a safe and enjoyable festive season. We call on all South Africans to head the Vooma [Vaccination Weekend] call and come forward and be vaccinated,” he said.

At least 23 million people in South Africa have received at least one jab with at least 70 000 doing so on Election Day; constituting just under 40% of the country’s adult population.

The Western Cape, Free State, Eastern Cape and Limpopo are close to reaching at least 50% vaccination of their populations.

Some 13 million people are now fully vaccinated.

The Minister said the vaccination rollout plan remains resilient with the department having enough capacity to vaccinate all eligible residents of the country against the virus.

“We can do this by the end of December. Our teams in the provinces are taking vaccines to the people over and above the fixed vaccination sites.

“As we start to use more and more of the one dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine, we will be able to cover more full vaccinations in the next few days and weeks,” he said.

Some 63% of the more COVID-19 vulnerable 60+ age group has been vaccinated; about 57% of those over the age of 50 have been vaccinated.

At least 250 000 children aged between 12 and 17 have now taken the vaccine.

The Minister said the country’s younger population between the ages of 18 and 34 were not taking up vaccination as well as hoped.

“The uptake…is worrisome [and] moving very slowly at the current moment with just under 25%. It is clear that in this population of young adults, fake news on social media is making a huge impact driving away [or] keeping away many of our young adults from vaccination.

“We are hoping that as we get closer to the festive season – because they will be more at risk because of social and entertainment activities – that many more of our young adults will come forward,” he said.