GAUTENG. – To date, The SAPS has recorded 32 525 positive cases, 30 955 recoveries and 672 deaths.
The drive will prioritise members who are 60 years and above, members with co-morbidities and those who are at high risk of exposure to the virus.
SAPS management has expressed its satisfaction in the number of police officers who heeded the call to get vaccinated at the launch of the SAPS Vaccination Drive held at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto recently.
The campaign led by the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele together with the Acting Minister of Health, Mamoloko Kubayi and the National Commissioner of Police General Khehla Sitole started on a high note as officers rolled-up their sleeves to get vaccinated.
In Pretoria, scores of members also made their way to the SAPS Tshwane Academy, another vaccine site, to receive the vaccination.
Close to 900 members had been vaccinated at both sites on the day.
Both Cele and Sitole formed part of the first group of SAPS employees to be vaccinated.
Cele says, “We don’t have any other scientifically proven way of preventing the severe effects of this virus other than getting vaccinated, so we are thrilled as the Police Ministry that this day has finally arrived.”
Sitole says the health, wellbeing and safety of members remains a priority for management. “Today’s turnout at our vaccination sites is encouraging. We remain optimistic that more of our members will heed the call to get vaccinated. While the rollout program continues we will continue to ensure that non-pharmaceutical interventions are adhered to”.
The SAPS working closely with key stakeholders and medical aid partners has secured and prepared 108 vaccination sites nationwide and a bulk registration system for members.
All SAPS vaccination sites have been registered on the National Department of Health (NDOH) database