Persons aged 58 and above included in COVID-19 vaccine priority list

The Ministry of Health has included persons aged 58 years and above COVID-19 vaccine priority list

in the ongoing inoculation exercise. 

Chairman of the COVID-19 Deployment Taskforce Dr. Willis Akhwale issued a statement saying that 

persons aged 58 and above are at a high risk of severe infection and account for 60% of the COVID-19 related deaths that have been recorded in the country so far. 

The statement reads in part, “The country is now experiencing the 3rd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with increasing number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths. In view of this surge of the pandemic, and in order to protect and save lives, the Ministry of Health has decided to immediately prioritize vaccinations of persons aged 58 years and above.” 

“According to our data these are at most risk of severe disease and account for 60% of our recorded deaths. This group of persons will now be a priority target group under the ongoing Phase 1 vaccination exercise. This prioritization is also aligned to the WHO and National Taskforce on Vaccine Deployment recommendations,” added the statement. 

The ministry has also urged all political, religious and community leaders to take the vaccine to boost confidence among the public, particularly the target groups, in the overall vaccination process. 

1.25 million frontline workers at high risk of infection such as health workers, security personnel, teachers, workers in institutions of learning and the Clergy were targeted in the First Phase of vaccination that was launched on March 8, 2021.