Botswana remains one of the leading countries in relation to the percentage population of residents vaccinated. Botswana leads Africa in this regard with at least 40 percent of the total population fully vaccinated with South Africa coming second at 30 percent.
More than 55,5 percent of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine with at least 8,35 billion doses having been administered globally, and 30,58 million are now administered each day, according to Our World In Data .Only 7,1% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose.
The National Task Force released new vaccination statistics last Friday indicating the country has fully vaccinated at least 40 percent of the total population estimated at 2, 4 million people. More than 45 percent have taken at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
In relation to the eligible population Botswana has vaccinated at least 64 percent (982,275), with the number of those who have taken at least their first dose standing at 1,094,388 (71 %) as at December 6, 2021. The number of vaccinations rose sharply since the beginning of December as the public prepares for the busy festive season.
The number of full vaccinations rose from 528,046 on December 3rd, 2021 to 982,275, almost 50 percent. With the arrival of even more vaccines this month the number of vaccinations is expected to rise significantly before the end of the year. Fears of a potential super spread of the new Omicron variant have also threatened to derail efforts made by the government to contain the spread of the virus. The number of new infections has spiked since the beginning of November with the Deputy Director of the National Task Force Professor Mosepele Mosepele declaring a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections this week. The Ministry of Health and Wellness has also warned the public to take the necessary precautions over the festive season.
“We continue to caution the public that COVID-19 remains a threat and they should adhere to all protocols to avoid the spread. During festive, people are discouraged from engaging in unnecessary travel. They are further advised to avoid gatherings as they promote the spread of the disease. The situation continues to be monitored and necessary processes put in place to curb the spread of the disease,” the Ministry’s Shirley Mukamambo told Sunday Standard.
She said as at December 6, 2021, 78.7% of all adults in Botswana aged 18 years and above had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines while 70.6% of the said targeted population have been fully vaccinated.
“Residents are heeding to being vaccinated. The Ministry engages more initiatives to reach to the public at various strategic places for vaccination,” she said.
