The Department of Health (DoH), on Thursday, opened registration for the Covid-19 vaccine for persons aged between 35 and 49 years, with vaccinations for this age group to start on August 1.

The department said the national vaccination programme continues across the country despite violent unrest which resulted in the temporary closure of some vaccination sites in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

The health department called on people aged 35 and above to register on the Electronic Vaccination Data System to be eligible to be vaccinated.

It also is encouraging people to use the various other methods of vaccine registration available, such as the Covid-19 call centre and WhatsApp number, to avoid congestion and long waiting queues at vaccination sites.

People over 50 years can walk-in to vaccine sites with or without appointments to get vaccinated.

The DoH said it will also be making available more health personnel to kick off weekend vaccinations from August 1.

The department said it hopes to vaccinate at least 300 000 people a day by the end of August.

Meanwhile, the health department urged all those visiting vaccination sites for onsite registration and vaccination, particularly senior citizens, to remain vigilant of any criminal activities that are intended to derail government’s efforts to vaccinate people.

“We call on all law abiding and patriotic citizens to join hands with the government and other sectors to safeguard healthcare facilities, self-sacrificing health workers and medical supplies against criminal activities whose intention is to undermine the law of the country,” the department said.