The TVET College officially launched its vaccination drive on Friday in Barberton, where over 100 learners turned up for the Covid-19 jab.

The mass vaccination campaign, the brainchild of the Mpumalanga provincial government and the Department of Health’s MEC, Sasekani Manzini, has so far seen over 450 000 people vaccinated in the province.

The vaccination campaign was rolled out in Sasol in Secunda, Safcol in Barberton, Kusile Power Station in eMalahleni, Roburnia Plantation in Amsterdam, taxi ranks targeting taxi operators and vendors, and a number of mines within the province.

Now with the focus shifting to young people, those 18 years and older, Manzini targeted tertiary institutions with the hope of attracting as many young people as possible. “I am happy that young people are taking charge.

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Tertiary institutions’ student leadership is leading from the front and taking the vaccine. The response we are seeing at these institutions makes us believe that we will be able to reach our target in the province, to vaccinate as many people as we can.

“The message and slogan we are giving all young people is that as they go to vaccinate let them take their mothers, fathers, brothers, uncles and aunts, so that the entire province is fully vaccinated. This will enable us to go back to our normal lives,” said Manzini.

The Ehlanzeni TVET College’s spokesperson, Mxolisi Nzimande, said the vaccine drive launch was a success in a sense that they were able to attract more students who gladly came for the jab.

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“We are indeed happy with the turnout during launch day and we expect more, if not all, of our students will go for the jab and protect themselves from this virus. As a college the safety and well-being of our students and staff are of paramount importance. That is the reason why we encourage everyone to consider taking the vaccine,” said Nzimande.

He added that all the campuses practise and adhere to all the Covid-19 safety protocols to keep everyone safe.