Rumours of Covid-19 vaccine registration for elderly ’meant to cause panic’
Rumours that registration for the Covid-19 vaccination is open for people of 65 years of age are false, says Department of Health.
PRETORIA, April 8 (ANA) – The national Department of Health on Thursday dismissed widespread claims circulating on social media platforms that registration for Covid-19 vaccines for the elderly in South Africa is now open as false.
“The Department of Health alerts the public about the rumours circulating on the social media claiming that the registration is now open for the elderly people of 65 of age are obnoxious and completely false,” said spokesperson Popo Maja.
“These rumours are designed to cause panic and unnecessary public disquiet. We urge the public to ignore such rumours and disinformation.”
Maja said the health authorities would make an announcement “at an opportune moment”.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize reported 756 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the cumulative number of cases for South Africa to 1,553,609.
Mkhize said: “Today, 79 more Covid-19-related deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 1, Free State 18, Gauteng 25, KwaZulu-Natal 25, Limpopo 0, Mpumalanga 6, North West 0, Northern Cape 0 and Western Cape 4, which brings the total to 53,111 deaths.
“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the health-care workers who treated the deceased.”
The cumulative total of tests conducted is 10,020,025, with 24,594 tests completed since the last report, Mkhize said.
Cumulative recoveries stand at 1,479,821, representing a recovery rate of 95%.
The number of health-care workers vaccinated under the Sisonke Protocol is 278,909.
Earlier on Wednesday Mkhize said that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus the need for universal health coverage and the urgent need for Africa to develop, manufacture and distribute its own vaccines and biotechnology.
He was speaking during an online webinar to commemorate World Health Day with various African health leaders, including Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s regional director for Africa.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
