Kaya 959 News Reporter
Minister of Health Dr Phaahla announced in a virtual COVID-19 and Vaccination rollout meeting this morning that the 4th wave in South Africa is on a decline.
All eight provinces have reached their peak and are now on a decline.
Dr Phaahla reports that as of this week, Gauteng officially exited the 4th wave in “terms of the technical definition of the wave.”
The decline in the 4th wave is attributed to the protection the vaccination provides against severe illness and death.
As of yesterday, South Africa administered 28 782 337 vaccines to a total of 18.4 million adults.
This translated to 45.5% of adults above the age of 18 who have received at least one dose.
15.9 million adults are fully vaccinated which equates to 40% of the adult population.
Dr Phaahla notes the increase in the number of vaccinations administered but indicates that it is still below 100 000 doses per day.
He credits this as not “good enough” and would like to see an increase in the number of daily doses.
In an effort to encourage South African’s to vaccinate, the department will include an additional report that shows the comparison between vaccinated and unvaccinated hospitalisations.
The Free State leads the number of vaccinated adults amongst the provinces with 54.1% followed by the Western Cape at 53.6%, Limpopo at 52.2%, and the Eastern Cape at 50%.
Gauteng just passed 8 million administers doses.
The minister of health sites this as a significant milestone and attributes the low percentage of adults who have received vaccinations as part of the challenge of having a huge population.
Booster shots of the J&J and Pfizer are available.
Individuals who require boosters shots are encouraged to follow up on their dates.
The main priority of the Health Department is to have at least 70% of adults vaccinated in South Africa.
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