The Covid-19 vaccine rollout for the police sector will begin on Monday as the South African Police Service (SAPS) prepares to vaccinate its officers.
According to EWN, Commissioner General Khehla Sitole and Police Minister Bheki Cele are set to be vaccinated first.
“General Sitole will be the first uniformed member to be vaccinated on the day. Minister Cele will also receive his vaccination as he falls under the over-50 age group eligible for the jab,” said Police Ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba.
Themba added that the goal was to vaccinate frontline officers who are involved in daily operations, as per News24.
More than 670 officers had already succumbed to Covid-19, while a total of at least 30 000 officers were infected across South Africa, Themba explained.
Meanwhile, police union Popcru stands in favour of the decision as spokesperson Richard Mamabolo encouraged members to go get vaccinated.
“We are quite happy about the fact that vaccination for our police officers is starting tomorrow. This has been long overdue.”
While the vaccinations of the first round of officers and staff, including Sitole and Cele are set to take place on Monday, SAPS sets out to vaccinate the rest of the police personnel from July 8 with the aim of vaccinating more than 180 000 employees at the 108 registered vaccination sites across the country.
The vaccination campaign will be launched in Soweto and is to be led by acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, along with Cele and General Sitole.
#sapsHQ #SAPS members being assisted to register for their vaccines at Orlando Stadium in Soweto. #IChooseVaccination NP pic.twitter.com/SIq1PiVLa1
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) July 5, 2021
Picture: Supplied