The Department of Basic Education vaccine roll-out has been implemented in a well planned procession. Educators came out in numbers to get the jab in various vaccination sights.
While there were few incidents such as wrong vaccine sent to the Tembisa vaccination site, the Department of Basic Education has done well in implementing the roll-out. The incident of wrong vaccines sent to the Tembisa vaccination site was due to the mis-communication. According to the Gauteng Education MEC Mr. Panyaza Lesufi, the Tembisa site is usually used to vaccinate the elderly and so that is how the wrong jabs were sent there, he alluded to the fact that this was just a small incident and that the team swiftly rectified the problem.
The vaccine roll-out program is expecting to vaccinate 582 000 teachers and school personnel in 10 days. The well executed program by the DBE shows the determination to ensure that education continues in a Covid Safe Environment.
Educators across the country are relieved and excited to be getting the jabs. DBE has ensured that no school staff members or educators will be forced into taking the jab, and have encouraged those who may decide not to take part in the Vaccine roll-out program to continue ensuring a safe working environment in schools by adhering to the Covid-19 Health Protocols.
The program which ends on the 8th of July is complementing the decision by Minister Angie Motshekga to keep schools open during the 3rd wave of Covid-19.
The 10 day vaccination period by the Department is within the safety period of the J&J Vaccine which is said to have a shelve life of three to four months when refrigerated at 36 to 46 degrees.
Department of Health and the Department Basic Education partnership proves to be critical in providing a safe and professional vaccine roll-out. The Minister also mentioned the support from other stakeholders in the Basic Education sector which ensured a successful roll-out program.
Meanwhile teachers in Bloemfontein reported to have received circulated WhatsApp messages saying that the Vaccine will finish, unfortunately this misleading information created chaotic scenes in Bloemfontein where there was overcrowding and lack of social distancing putting many lives in danger.
Teachers and School staff adviced to be careful on the information they receive to avoid miscommunication and fake News which may lead to dangerous scenes such as the ones witnessed at Bloemfontein vaccination site.
Article by Zinhle Mbanjwa