South Africa begins second phase of Covid jabs

South Africa has started its second phase of Covid-19 vaccinations targeting people who are aged 60 years and above.

The country aims to inoculate five million citizens in that category by the end of June. It is also aiming to finish vaccinating the country’s 1.2 million healthcare workers this week.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said the country was due to receive 325,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine at midnight on Sunday, making the total doses of the Pfizer vaccine 975,780.

The health ministry said it was avoiding long queues in the second phase of the vaccine rollout by using an electronic vaccination data system – where people would register online and receive instructions through a text message.