In a media briefing on Tuesday, the MEC of Health, Maruping Lekwene, together with the HODs of the Departments of Education and Health, announced the province's readiness to distribute vaccines to vaccinate a total of 16 100 persons over the next 14 days. The roll-out will commence on Wednesday 23 June 2021 and will continue until Thursday 8 July 2021, a day prior to the closure of schools marking the end of the second term. 

Northern Cape MEC of Education, Zolile Monakali, says the registration will be done via the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) system of Health, based on the Personnel and Salary System (PERSAL) information provided. All staff is required to take along their identity documents and medical aid information, where applicable. Monakali says there are 29 vaccination sites identified in the province.

Monakali further adds that those eligible to get vaccinated are as follow:

•All PERSAL Staff (as at April 2021) in DBE (educators, administrative, and support staff) at all public schools; irrespective of their age.

•School Governing Body appointed teachers, and those teachers employed by independent schools registered in terms of the South African Schools Act.

The 29 vaccination sites identified in the province are as follow:

Frances Baard District:

Sol Plaatje:  Newton Primary School

Phokwane: Hartswater Primary School Library

Kgomotso High School Hall

Vaalharts High School

Magareng: Warrenton Primary School

Dikgatlong: Vaalrivier High School

Delportshoop Combined School

Reakantswe High School

ZF Mgcawu District:

Dr Harry Surtie Hospital

Mediclinic Upington

Postmasburg Hospital

Groblershoop CHC

Kakamas Hospital

Askam CHC

Pixley Ka Seme District:

Renosterberg & Emthanjeni: De Aar Hospital

Siyathemba: Prieska Primary School

Siyacuma: Douglas CHC

Ubuntu & Kareeberg: Victoria Wes CHC

Umsobomvu: Colesburg Hospital

John Taolo Gaetsewe District:

Tshwaragano Hospital

Pako Seboko CHC

Bendel CHC

Dithakong CHC

Laxey CHC

Namakwa District:

Pofadder CHC

Port Nolloth CHC

Joe Slovo CHC

Matjieskloof CHC

Calvinia High School

“Given the vast distances to be travelled in the Province, schools and district offices are working on transport plans. All districts are finalising the linking of specific schools to sites and ensure that all eligible staff is linked to a specific site on a specific date and time,” Monakali says. Monakali further urges that for the next two weeks, people drop everything that they are busy with and get vaccinated.  “In order for us to successfully complete this programme, we will need to keep schools open. Any disruptions would be undesirable. The vaccination of everybody in the sector is an opportunity to normalise schooling and begin the process of mitigating the impact of Covid-19. We need to work extremely hard and around the clock to vaccinate as many people as possible in our sector,” he emphasises.

OFM News/Blaine Jones