07 Apr 2021

Ministry of Health and Wellness has decided to prioritise the elderly aged 75 and over for the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out programme.

 Initially the programme prioritised those aged 55 and above. 

Giving an update on the programme Tuesday, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Mr Kabelo Ebineng said the decision was made due to the limited number of vaccine doses available coupled with the need to actively protect the most vulnerable age group.

 He noted that the age group continued to register high numbers of severe disease and death in all districts across the country.

Mr Ebineng pointed out that the programme was in line with the National Vaccine Deployment Plan phase one whose main aim was to strengthen the health system through protecting the most vulnerable first.

“I further implore to the community to register for the vaccine through the online platforms that have been provided but that those who are unable to register online can visit some designated areas that the ministry had identified,” he said.

Mr Ebineng said information about registration areas could be sourced from District Health Management Teams across the country.

He however encouraged online registration.

“This is to avoid overcrowding in vaccination centres which may also risk spreading the very disease that the ministry is fighting hard to prevent,” he said.

Department of Health Services director, Dr Malebogo Kebabonye explained that the vaccination programme initially prioritised people aged 55 and above but it was observed that a high number of persons who registered online excluded those above the age of 75.

“An increased number of those who had registered online were those below our intended targeted age group and as such we have resorted to take a staggered approach for the roll out programme starting with those above 75 years,” she explained.

She cited issues such as lack of access to the Internet and mobility as some of the challenges leading to the low numbers of online registration by the over 75s.

Dr Kebabonye said as at April 2, 13 690 people had been vaccinated across the country with greater Gaborone recording the highest number of vaccinations. 

She expressed delight that no severe side effects had been experienced by those vaccinated.ends