Limpho Sello
LESOTHO has only vaccinated 14 percent of the population against the deadly Covid-19 virus, the National Covid-19 Secretariat (NACOSEC) has said.
According to this week’s statistics, just 290 000 people have been vaccinated since March this year when the vaccination initiative was rolled out.
This means the process is moving at a snail’s pace.
NACOSEC Deputy chief executive officer, Thabo Ntoi, this week said appealed to the public to get vaccinated as the current rate of inoculation was lower than expected.
“Vaccination is now open for every eligible individual across the country and this is being done to avoid critical illnesses and Covid-19 related deaths,” Mr Ntoi said.
“The country should be in a position to only record mild cases when new infections occur.”
Mr Ntoi said the vaccinated population will help the country do away from prolonged lockdowns that have negatively affected the economy.
“We therefore, have to fast track the vaccination process to allow the country to secure more vaccines. The goal is to vaccinate 1, 5 million people by December as set by the prime minister.
“We have made progress but it is not as promising as we thought therefore, we must accelerate. This is why we have opened vaccination to everyone and also made special arrangements for civil servants to get vaccinated. Their vaccination process has been ongoing from last week.”
Health Ministry public relations manager, ‘Mamolise Falatsa, this week said although vaccination was now open to the eligible public, the government made special arrangements for civil servants and their families to help fast track service delivery in different sectors.
“This move is meant to ensure that civil servants can return to work. Civil servants have been working in shifts which in most cases, delay service delivery,” Ms Falatsa said.
