The number of people that have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Botswana has reached 1,022,238, according to the latest data published by the government.

The figure represents 42.6 percent of the country's population, one of the highest tallies reported in Africa.

In total, the country administered 1,152,814 doses of vaccines.

Botswana launched its mass COVID-19 vaccination in March 2021, initially targeting groups considered to be at high risk, including the elderly, persons with underlying health conditions and healthcare workers.

The health ministry last week called on the public to continue adhering to health protocols aimed at containing COVID-19 in order to avoid a deterioration of the pandemic situation during the festive period.

So far, Botswana has recorded 204,701 infections with 2,425 fatalities.