Learner vaccination won’t happen in schools

While the vaccination of learners will not occur at schools, the departments of health and basic education have met to consider a learners’ vaccination plan.

This after Department of Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said the Department of Health does not have the capacity to carry out vaccination programmes at all schools.

Motshekga was addressing the media in Pretoria recently.

‘We will use existing vaccination sites for all eligible for the vaccine, including children aged 12 years old and above. Let me emphasise that vaccination is voluntary.

‘Late last year, the Department of Health announced that vaccines were available for young people aged 12 years and above.

‘We could not run the programme in schools at the time as the sector was seized with end-of-year assessments and examinations. ‘We decided to defer the vaccination of learners to January this year,’ said Motshekga.

‘We have agreed to prioritise an advocacy campaign to encourage eligible people – both adults and learners of eligible age – to go get their jabs.

‘Misinformation and hesitancy still pose a huge challenge, hence we really need to work hard to explain the benefits of vaccinating.

‘We need to raise awareness, increase literacy, and address false news regarding vaccination,’ she said.

Motshekga added that vaccination sites are open for education personnel.

‘Their details are already on the system; they do not need to make prior bookings. They must present themselves for their vaccination or booster shot.’