PRIME Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro says in a bid to ease lockdown restrictions and allow the economy of Lesotho to recover, the target was to vaccinate as many as 1.6 million people before the end of the year.

However, due to an array of challenges that the National COVID-19 Secretariat (NACOSEC), a body that is mandated to control the spread of the coronavirus in the country encountered, a little over 800 000 people have so far been vaccinated.

These challenges include among others, people who are scared to take their jabs because of myths and misconceptions about the danger it allegedly poses.

The plan was also to increase the number by ensuring that people readily access the vaccine at all border gates and in all villages across the country.

The aim was that, when Basotho had vaccinated in large numbers, there would be no reasons to impose lockdowns in the country.

“Basotho are also encouraged to visit centres where they can access the COVID-19 vaccine, as it reduces their chances of becoming severely ill and dying from Covid- related complications,” he said.

Dr Majoro said currently, Lesotho has enough vaccines to vaccinate even people who came home for the Christmas holidays, adding that it is imperative that they get their jabs before returning to work.

He also urged Basotho to beware of the danger of the Omicron variant, adding that they should always be protected against COVID-19.