South Africans who are not yet vaccinated are called upon to join the Vooma Vaccination Weekend on November 12-14 in a bid to save our society.

According to the department, South Africa will not achieve its goal of vaccinating 70% of adults by the end of the year – but the closer the country can get to that target, the more lives will be saved. “It’s most important that older people get vaccinated, because they are more likely to end up in hospital or die. But younger people are also at risk of getting very sick or dying.”

Vax facts

• Three out of every five people aged 50 plus are either fully vaccinated or have had their first Pfizer dose.
• The fourth wave is likely to hit South Africa early in the new year.
• Over 80% of Covid-19 deaths so far have occurred in people over 50. The Department of Health wants to prevent every death, but aims to reduce the impact of the fourth wave by vaccinating more than 85% of people aged 50 and older. That means providing first-dose vaccinations to at least 3.6 million more people aged 50 and above by the end of the year.
• At the same time, every adult in South Africa is urged to get vaccinated as well as those children aged 12-17 who want to, or are at high risk because of co-morbidities.

Vaccination sites will be open all Friday and Saturday and selected sites on Sunday. See www.sacoronavirus.co.za for details.

If you have any questions or concerns, call the tollfree Covid-19 hotline 0800 029 999. It is there for you.

Also see: Get vaccinated this weekend and save our scholars