Categories: AFRICA

Thousands in South Africa March to Demand Faster Vaccine Rollout

Thousands of citizens in South Africa have gathered in Pretoria to demand a faster coronavirus vaccination rollout in the continent’s worst-hit country.

With less than four per cent of South Africa’s 59 million population inoculated, protesters are calling on regulators to approve more vaccines and speed up the pace of inoculations to get people back to work and kickstart the economy.

“Our agenda is simple, give our people vaccines, we want to open our economy,” Julius Malema, leader of the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters, told more than 2,500 supporters in Pretoria.

South Africa is the continent’s worst-hit country, with more than 1.8 million cases and over 59,000 deaths. Most of those who have so far received jabs have been the elderly and healthcare workers.

In a gathering criticised as a possible super-spreading event, EFF supporters clad in red party regalia marched to the offices of the health products regulator to demand the approval of more vaccines.

South Africa has so far administered only Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer shots.

The EFF is also pushing for the use of Chinese and Russian vaccines, warning it would stage a sit-in at the home of the regulator’s chairwoman if it did not approve the emergency use of the jabs within seven days.

On Wednesday, the regulator announced it had received documentation for the Sinopharm vaccine and would commence with evaluating the data in assessing the efficacy of the vaccine.

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Obi Asika: Nafest 2024 Aims to Showcase Nigeria’s ‘Unity in Diversity’ Through Art and Culture

NCAC DG Asika has underscored Nafest’s role in celebrating Nigeria’s cultural diversity, aiming to enhance…

2 hours ago

Okey Ikechukwu – Limited Presence Of National Infrastructure Makes Land Procurement In South East Unattractive

Okey Ikechukwu has asserted that limited business prospects, not exclusion, deter non-indigenes from acquiring land…

3 hours ago

Edo State Governor Constitutes 14-Member Committee to Probe Obaseki Administration

Edo Governor Okpebholo has formed a 14-member committee to investigate assets and liabilities under Godwin…

7 hours ago

Gunman Killed, Three Policemen Injured in Shooting Near Israeli Embassy in Jordan

A gunman was killed, and three Jordanian policemen were injured in a shooting near the…

15 hours ago

Putin Signs Law Forgiving Debts for Recruits Fighting in Ukraine

EXCERPT: Putin has signed a new law forgiving up to 10 million roubles debts of…

15 hours ago

Philippines Security Council Probes Vice President’s Alleged Assassination Threat Against President Marcos

An alleged assassination threat by Philippines VP Sara Duterte against President Marcos has triggers investigation,…

15 hours ago