To increase advocacy and public education, the ministries of health, education and information, in collaboration with other development partners, this week officially launched the learners’ Covid-19 vaccination campaign at the Keetmanshoop Secondary School. 

//Kharas governor Aletha Frederick explained the purpose of the initiative like that as contributing towards the achievement of national herd immunity. 

“This can only be done through vaccination, which is currently the key priority measure set up to attain maximum control of the Covid-19 pandemic,’’ she added. 

Outlining the objectives of the campaign, she highlighted it is among others to mobilise school communities, including teachers, learners and parents to allow and accept the concept of vaccination of eligible children (12-17 years of age). 

“It is furthermore to build public trust in government’s Covid-19 response efforts and change individual behaviour and attitude towards vaccination,’’ she said. 

Frederick furthermore reminded learners that since some of them are orphans due to the coronavirus, they should regard vaccination as an important prevention tool. 

“Teachers should also make use of the opportunity whilst lecturing to sensitise learners constantly on the awareness and importance of vaccination,’’ she added. 

The politician emphasised government interventions strive towards the betterment of the community and should not be wasted, as resources were spent in the process amidst the difficult economic situation in the country. 

 Keetmanshoop mayor McDonald Hanse said the //Kharas region was not spared from the devastating effects of the coronavirus. 

“Vaccines protect us from severe illness – and if we all get inoculated, it would result in herd immunity and a safe school environment as the end result,’’ he said.  

Keetmanshoop Secondary School head boy Armando Binga, who is a grade 11 learner, said he is inspired by various speakers during the launch, and he will strongly consider getting his second dose against Covid-19.

 “We, as teachers and learners, should support this campaign in order to contribute towards kicking Covid-19 out of Namibia,’’ he added. 

Another learner Susmitha Skakana (15), however, believes one can also get protected against the pandemic by virtue of following existing health protocols: social distancing and hand sanitising. 

“I do not really support vaccination, as I am not sure and convinced that it can protect me or save my life against the coronavirus,’’ she reasoned.  

The advocacy and public education campaign will be implemented over a period of six months, targeting all schools in Namibia. 

- sklukowski@nepc.com.na