MEC pleads with education sector workers to get vaccinated
“If you check the Covid-19 infection numbers that are increasing in our schools, you will see that it is very important that we protect our educators."
The Gauteng Education Department has pleaded with the education sector (staff and non-staff) officials to get their Covid-19 vaccination jabs.
MEC Panyaza Lesufi said while the vaccination was voluntary, the health department highly recommended that all those in the sector get vaccinated so that everyone was protected from Covid-19, especially those with comorbidities as vaccination jabs were said to reduce the severity of illness and possible hospitalisation in the case of one contracting the virus.
Lesufi said the department “appreciated and endorsed” the decision to prioritise the sector amid the third wave plaguing the province.
He made the plea, speaking at the first day of the vaccination drive at Rabasotho community hall in Tembisa after he, together with senior education officials, received the vaccination jab.
The event was also attended by the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, and the Deputy Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla.
“If you check the Covid-19 infection numbers that are increasing in our schools, you will see that it is very important that we protect our educators.
“Every learner comes from a family and goes back to that family and you don’t want the child to be carrying the virus to the family. If you can protect the children, you can protect everyone,” he said.
Lesufi said more than 125 934 workers in the education sector in Gauteng were expected to get vaccinated between June 23 and July 8.
He said of that total of 71 726 were educators at Gauteng public schools, while 24 492 were non-educators such as clerks, food handlers and teacher union staff, among others.
He said the remainder of about 19 678 was made up of educators from independent schools.
“A total of 10 488 school governing body-appointed educators and grade R practitioners in public schools are also eligible for the shots.
“We are happy with the progress made at all our 60 sites in Gauteng as no major glitches were reported beside a few challenges that were quickly attended to.”
Lesufi thanked the health department for acquiring the vaccine and prioritising the education sector.
“We appreciate and endorse the decision to ensure that educators are protected.
“That is why, as the education sector, we are committing ourselves to cherish this opportunity and ensure we complete the roll-out in the time-frame given.
“We know the queue for the vaccine is long and do not want to add to the delays.”
Lesufi reminded the sector that those who had contracted Covid-19 in the past 30 days, those who were vaccinated using Pfizer or using J&J under Sisonke, and those who vaccinated for flu in the past 14 days to note that they were not eligible for the jab.
“We urge those who had been vaccinated to continue adhering to non-pharmaceutical health and safety protocols, including social distancing, regular washing or sanitising of hands and wearing a mask.”
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