‘Gen Z’ embrace the call to get the Covid-19 jab, thousand registered on day 1
Over 180 000 South Africans between 18 and 35 (the so-called Gen Z age-group) have already registered on the Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS) to get a Covid-19 vaccine.
This was confirmed by Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla in a media briefing on Friday.
The department opened registration for this cohort on Thursday with Friday being the first day they could register for the jab.
Phaahla says the numbers were encouraging.
Gauteng is leading with over 70 thousand registrations and Phaahla says the metro areas have seen the highest number of registrations.
“Number one of those 18 pluses who are already registered is in Gauteng with just over 73 000 followed by the Western Cape with just over 53 000 and followed by KwaZulu-Natal with just over 27 000 so it is quite encouraging,” says Phaahla.
He reminded citizens that they also have an option to walk in at any vaccination centre.
“The option remains of even just walking into a vaccination site without registration, but this definitely will make you likely to take more time, because it means if you have not self-registered, they first have to start with your registration. So, we again encourage, especially as we move to the 18 years, who we believe most of them are very familiar with smartphones with the internet and WhatsApp and other forms of registration.” he said.
“The benefit of opening up early amongst the 18 years plus is that now we can say all the vaccines have been certified to be safe and all these adults can be vaccinated. We can now cut out, administrative and bureaucratic red tape, because as long as you have an ID which means you are over 18, you can be registered.”
He also announced that vaccination for people who travel for business or educational purposes would no longer require approval for an advanced vaccination.
Phaahla says pregnant women aged between the age of 18 and 34 can also be vaccinated and protected.
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