The South African Police Service management launched its vaccination drive at the Durban Central Police Station on Tuesday morning.
The Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Phindile Radebe, led the vaccination campaign. Police spokesperson, Brigadier Jay Naicker, said the launch in Durban will see 500 police officers receive their vaccination in the first day. He added that thereafter, police will launch 11 other sites in the province as they target almost 30 000 personnel including reservists, security guards, interns as well as national units that are located within the province who will be vaccinated in KZN. “We have also catered for police officers from other provinces, deployed for duties within KZN in this vaccination drive. Police will have one site at each district; however, eThekwini will have two sites to cater for the large number of police officers stationed within the district. “The vaccination drive will prioritise members who are 60 years and above, members with co-morbidities, those members who are at a high risk of exposure to the virus especially operational members, cleaners and security guards,” said Brig Naicker.
Police in the province will be working with other stakeholders including medical aid partners, Polmed and Gems to ensure compliance with all health-related protocols at these vaccination sites. Police management in the province are confident that police officers will heed the call to get vaccinated as the SAPS works hard to limit the number of police officers that are infected and succumb to the virus.Brig Naicker said there would be some officials who will not qualify to be vaccinated. “This includes, anyone who has contracted Covid-19 in the last 30 days, any person who has received a flu vaccine within 14 days and any member who has been vaccinated prior to the SAPS vaccination roll-out programme commencing,” he said.
