B4SA urges South Africans to get vaccinated

Business for South Africa (B4SA) says it’s going all out to urge citizens to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

This as the country’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout programme is gathering steam.

It’s been a week since the launch of phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout – which caters for those who are over 60 years old.

The country’s captains of industry, who are overseeing the vaccine rollout programme together with the government, say things are going well so far.

The government has come under heavy criticism, particularly from trade union leaders, for the slow implementation of phase 1 of the vaccine rollout programme, which was targeted at healthcare workers.

The business leaders say they are reaching out to all sectors of society to get vaccinated.

Business for South Africa also says more companies are now signing up to vaccinate their employees.

Mr Martin Kingston, Chairperson of @businessforsa Steering Committee dating his #vaccination experience. Citizens who are 60 and above are encouraged to vaccinate.@GCISMedia @SAgovnews @GovernmentZA #VaccinateToSaveSouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/wz5OOT3fLt

— Department of Agriculture, Land Ref and Rural Dev (@DALRRDgov_ZA) May 19, 2021

Eastern Cape vaccination drive

The Eastern Cape government has embarked on a mass testing and vaccination registration drive for the elderly over the age of 60 years in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth says about 250 000 elderly people have registered for vaccinations across the province. A total of 704 000 people have registered in the Eastern Cape, including healthcare workers for vaccinations. The provincial government is worried about the possibility of a third wave.

SABC News reporter Zolani Moya was at New Brighton to monitor the registration drive:

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