Medicine / Health, Disease | South Africa speeds up vaccinations

After a slow start, South Africa has accelerated the pace of vaccination. During the past week, 220 thousand people were vaccinated daily, the goal is 300 thousand.

With massive vaccine deliveries on the way and vaccines being produced locally, the South African authorities are aiming to vaccinate 35 of the country’s 60 million population by the end of the year. In February, the target was 40 million.

So far, more than 7.7 million people have received a single dose, but only 100,000 – 1.6 percent of the population – have received two doses so far.

South Africa appears to have relatively good access to vaccines. The United States recently supplied 5.7 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and South Africa itself ordered 40 million doses from Pfizer and 30 million doses from Johnson & Johnson.

Another sign that generates enthusiasm is enthusiasm. According to surveys, more than 70 percent of South Africans are concerned about getting a vaccine, while only 10 percent oppose it.

South Africa is one of the hardest-hit countries in Africa, with 35 percent of all cases reported on the continent. More than 72,000 South Africans have died from the virus, but the numbers are high and the actual number is likely three times higher.

The increased vaccination coverage in South Africa contrasts with the rest of Africa, where less than 1.5 percent of the population has been vaccinated.

(© NTB)

Megan Vasquez

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