I welcome the announcement by the Acting National Minister of Health, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane today that registration for COVID-19 vaccinations will open for residents aged 50 to 59 years old from 1 July 2021.
This is in addition to those residents who are 60 years and older, who continue to be able to register for their vaccine if they decide to.
I had requested this change at the President’s Coordinating Council so as to ensure a swift transition to next age group. This is an important step to ensure that we are ready for the next phase in the vaccination programme.
The Western Cape Government will continue with its campaign to ensure residents who are 60 years old and older register for their vaccines, and I encourage these residents to continue to register if they have not yet. We will now also extend this campaign to focus on residents between 50 years and 59 years old.
I can also confirm that the Western Cape is ready to scale-up our vaccination roll-out significantly, to well-over 120 000 vaccinations a week, once the supplies arrive.
I urge all residents aged 50 years old and older to register for their vaccine from 1 July. The vaccine is safe and thoroughly tested and provides excellent protection against severe COVID-19 related illness and death.
The time has come to fight back against COVID-19. #LetsDoThis, Western Cape.
Source: Government of South Africa