SAPS Covid-19 vaccination drive begins in KZN
Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Phindile Radebe, who led the vaccination campaign said police will launch 11 other sites in the province as they target almost 30 000 personnel.
THE SAPS vaccination drive kicked off in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday morning at the Durban Central Police Station. A total of 500 police officers received their vaccination on the first day.
Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Phindile Radebe, who led the vaccination campaign said police will launch 11 other sites in the province as they target almost 30 000 personnel including reservists, security guards, interns as well as national units that are located within the province who will be vaccinated in KZN.
“We have also catered for police officers from other provinces, deployed for duties within KZN in this vaccination drive. Police will have one site at each district; however, eThekwini will have two sites to cater for the large number of police officers stationed within the district,” said Radebe.
She said the vaccination drive will prioritise members who are 60 years and above, members with co-morbidities, members who are at a high risk of exposure to the virus, especially operational members, cleaners, and security guards.
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“Police in the province will be working with other stakeholders including our medical aid partners, POLMED, and GEMS to ensure compliance with all health-related protocols at these vaccination sites. Police management in the province are confident that police officers will heed the call to get vaccinated as the SAPS works hard to limit the number of police officers that are infected and succumb to the virus,” she said.
Commissioner, Major General Radebe who was the first to be vaccinated, expressed her delight as she interacted with police officers who joined the queues to be vaccinated.
“The vaccine is our best defence against this deadly virus and we are pleased to be in a position to roll out the vaccine to police officials in KZN.
“We are optimistic that our employees will take up this opportunity to be vaccinated as we continue to fight this pandemic in KZN. We will continue to educate our members on the advantages of taking the vaccine and we call on commanders at all levels to lead the process in encouraging those who might be sceptical,” she said.
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