South Africa urges more men to take COVID-19 jabs

Addis Ababa, August 13, 2021 (FBC) – South Africa is calling for more men to come out in greater numbers and take COVID-19 jabs as their numbers trails that of women.

About 60% of vaccines have been administered to women, health officials noted on Friday during a media briefing on government’s efforts in the fight against the disease.

It comes as the country aims to vaccinate at least 70% of its total adult population by December.

As the number of fully vaccinated people currently stands at about four million, 28 million people will have been vaccinated to meet the target, Nicholas Crisp, a director in the ministry, says.

Health Minister Joe Phaahla ruled out the easing of COVID-19 restrictions despite a “downward trend” in infections.

He said the positivity rate was still high and that hospitals were still under tremendous pressure.

South Africa has so far registered 2,568,511 cases of COVID and 76,243 deaths. It has the most cases in Africa, according to BBC.