MINISTER of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has announced the formal commencement of the Covid-19 vaccination programme for the post-schooling education and training sector (PSET).
Addressing the media on the Covid-19 vaccination roll out for the PSET sector, the Minister said government will be rolling out the Pfizer vaccine across all institutions in the major metros where there is good access to cold storage facilities.
The vaccination of some PSET staff that are 35 years of age and above formally commenced over the weekend. This age group, which comprises approximately 70% of all staff in the sector, is expected to be completed within a month.
“Higher Health has made provisions with each site fully dedicated to vaccinate about 300 to 1000 people per day per site. Higher Health will be supporting the sites on the days of vaccination,” Nzimande said.
Read also: SA plans to vaccinate at least 400 000 people per day
A further 12 additional sites across Johannesburg, Tshwane, Cape Town, Gqeberha and eThekwini starting will open from Monday, 26 July.
This will cover over 120 000 staff from universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges in the next two to three weeks.
“These same sites will be extended to private institutions, skills learning sector, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), National Skills Fund (NSF) with a range of skills development providers.
“In this coming week, Higher Health will open an additional 40 to 50 vaccination sites with the Department of Health, across all other districts, for staff populations between 600 and 4000 to be vaccinated,” the Minister said.
He also emphasised the importance of everyone who becomes eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine to take up the chance to get vaccinated.
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