Twenty two million vaccinations have been administered in South Africa to date, while 12 million people in South Africa have been fully vaccinated, but people aged 60 and above remain a concern.

The vaccination rate among those over 60 years of age remain lower than desired, with three out of every five people in this age group (62%) having received at least one dose of vaccination.

According to Dr David Harrison, CEO of the DG Murray Trust, the closer South Africa gets to ‘five out of five’ by the end of the year, the better the chances of avoiding a fourth Covid-19 wave. Harrison is leading a multi-donor process of support to the Department of Health to help ensure the success of the vaccination programme.

It is believed that four out of five deaths could be prevented during the next wave by increasing the number of vaccinations in people aged 60 and above.

“Fewer than 6 000 people 60 and older are being vaccinated every day, which means that there will be 1.8 million  60+ people unvaccinated by the end of the year. We want to ensure that they are protected ahead of the fourth wave,” says Harrison.

People aged 60 and older who get their first Covid-19 vaccination in November will automatically receive a R100 grocery voucher redeemable at Shoprite, Checkers or Usave supermarkets across the country.

Vooma vaccination vouchers will be sent via SMS to the cell number used to register for the vaccine. They will serve as an incentive to encourage older people to get vaccinated before the fourth wave, which is expected early in 2022.

Also see: Shopping voucher reward for over-60s who vaccinate

Vaccination enquires: COVID-19 hotline on 0800 029 999.

Vooma vaccination voucher enquiries for over 60s: Shoprite helpline on 0800 010 709.