​Lerato Mailoane and SA News
South Africa has surpassed one million COVID-19 vaccination mark, as the country works around the clock to speed up its vaccination programme.
Announcing the figures on Tuesday, Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said to date 479 768 healthcare workers were vaccinated under the Sisonke Programme, while at least 565 336 elderly people have received their first shot of the Pfizer jab.
"Therefore, today it is my pleasure to announce that we have breached the million mark and have vaccinated 1 045 104 individuals," said Dr Mkhize.
The Minister thanked all those involved in the vaccination campaign, from the Director-General of Health to every vaccinator continuing to battle it out for the nation in the frontlines.
"We will continue to ramp up daily vaccinations, working together with the private sector, towards attaining the targets we have committed to as government," Mkhize added.
Gauteng, accounts for a total of 271 575 people who have been vaccinated as at Monday, 31 May 2021.
The provincial government has also urged those who have not yet vaccinated to come forward as the province has increased the number of vaccination sites to 103, with 63 public and 40 private sector sites spread across all five regions of the province.  
This means more people will now have access to the vaccination sites.
Gauteng government will also ensure that all vaccination sites make adequate plans for walk-ins. 
No person will be turned away from vaccination sites even if they are not registered to ensure that they get vaccinated. 
In addition, Community Workers are assisting the elderly in their homes and other settings to register on the EVDS in preparation for vaccination.
The Gauteng Call centre is also assisting to register people and directing them to the nearest vaccination sites where vaccines are available.