Potch teachers get the jab

Over the past week, teachers and support staff around the country have been transported to dedicated vaccination sites to receive the Johnsons & Johnsons (J&J) Covid-19 shot.

Boiki Tlhapi Clinic in Ikageng started with its vaccine rollout on Wednesday, 23 June, with a daily target of 120 vaccinations. “The entire vaccination process for teachers is expected to continue until Tuesday, July 8,” said the hospital’s operating manager, who preferred not to be named.

When the clinic opened its doors at 8:30, teachers began receiving vaccinations as part of the national rollout. A manager at the clinic said the vaccinations had proceeded smoothly and without glitches, with the help of the department. “We have vaccinated a total of 545 teachers so far,” she added on Tuesday.

Some teachers did not want to be vaccinated, while others were over the age of 60 and had already received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. “I was extremely skeptical of the vaccine and even had to be convinced before I did it, but I hope for the best,” a teacher shared.

“I am so excited to finally have the opportunity to be vaccinated. People should not forget that the vaccine does not mean we are safe from the virus and that we should continue taking safety precautions,” one of the teacher’s said. “I have always been pro-vaccine, so I’m quite relieved that we are being afforded this opportunity. I just hope the learners will soon follow too,” another teacher commented.

After being vaccinated, you are given 15 min to observe if you may have any severe side effects. Fortunately, over the past week, no one had reported any issues with the vaccine.

*All teachers the Herald spoke to wished to remain anonymous.