Nearly 2 000 children vaccinated against Covid-19
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
By Sunday, 2 January, a total of 1 945 Namibian children aged between 12 and 17 years had received the Pfizer vaccination.
The ministry of education, in cooperation with the health ministry, is soon to launch a vaccination campaign for learners following the announcement that children in these age groups may be vaccinated for Covid-19.
Sanet Steenkamp, the executive director of the education ministry, said yesterday they were still in talks with technical experts on how to manage this campaign.
“We have to have new discussions with the health ministry around modelling with the alternate day class routine because the last thing we want is an outbreak at our schools,” she said.
Steenkamp expressed concern about the level of Covid-19 infection among learners and teachers and said they were taking the necessary precautions to keep learners safe.
“It is now two years since the outbreak of Covid-19; I am sure everyone knows what is expected of them, especially in the hostels. We have guidelines and schools will work according to this.”
Politics
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) youth league secretary, Duminga Ndala, yesterday said as a stakeholder in education, they have been side-lined by the ministry with regard to efforts to safeguard learners.
However, they support the vaccination drive as long as it does not infringe on the liberty of people, and is with consent.
“The vaccination is a global health drive approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and has been advocated by our government too. Thus, even in the case of school-going children more research should be done to ensure that it is safe for these children and it should be consensual.”
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
By Sunday, 2 January, a total of 1 945 Namibian children aged between 12 and 17 years had received the Pfizer vaccination.
The ministry of education, in cooperation with the health ministry, is soon to launch a vaccination campaign for learners following the announcement that children in these age groups may be vaccinated for Covid-19.
Sanet Steenkamp, the executive director of the education ministry, said yesterday they were still in talks with technical experts on how to manage this campaign.
“We have to have new discussions with the health ministry around modelling with the alternate day class routine because the last thing we want is an outbreak at our schools,” she said.
Steenkamp expressed concern about the level of Covid-19 infection among learners and teachers and said they were taking the necessary precautions to keep learners safe.
“It is now two years since the outbreak of Covid-19; I am sure everyone knows what is expected of them, especially in the hostels. We have guidelines and schools will work according to this.”
Politics
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) youth league secretary, Duminga Ndala, yesterday said as a stakeholder in education, they have been side-lined by the ministry with regard to efforts to safeguard learners.
However, they support the vaccination drive as long as it does not infringe on the liberty of people, and is with consent.
“The vaccination is a global health drive approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and has been advocated by our government too. Thus, even in the case of school-going children more research should be done to ensure that it is safe for these children and it should be consensual.”
[email protected]
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