DBE satisfied with first day of teacher vaccination drive

More than 48 000 teachers and staff were vaccinated on the first day on Wednesday, according to the DBE's Elijah Mhlanga, who was basing it on a preliminary report from the Department of Health (DoH).

This figure excludes the Western Cape and Limpopo, who will start administering the vaccines "in earnest" on Thursday and Friday, respectively. 

"While the Western Cape only recorded about 30 people as vaccinated for the purposes of the launch. Limpopo didn't vaccinate today in line with their plan," Mhlanga said on Wednesday. 

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"The province will vaccinate over two weekends starting this Friday and Saturday and will then conclude next week Friday and Saturday."

KwaZulu-Natal vaccinated the largest number of teachers on Wednesday and the lowest number vaccinated was in the Northern Cape.

"The Northern Cape has decided to send mobile teams to some of their smallest towns to kickstart their campaign," said Mhlanga. 

He urged teachers and schools to keep to the vaccination schedules given by the district offices. 

Mhlanga noted that fake news played a major role in some of the challenges experienced on Day 1.

"A WhatsApp message was circulated in some provinces claiming that the Department of Health was going to run out of vaccines," he said. 

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"This led to a rush on some vaccine sites, particularly in Eastern Cape, North West, and Free State."

He insists that the DoH has enough doses to cover the target population.

"Additional doses are on the way to South Africa and government will be able to conclude the basic education programme within the 14 day period," said Mhlanga. 

On Thursday, the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, and the leaders of all the five teacher unions will be in Atteridgeville to monitor the vaccination programme.