Staff Reporter
About 500 police officers from the Free State have received the Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine as the province steps up efforts to vaccinate essential service workers and the general public against COVID-19.
Acting MEC for Police, Roads and Transport Mamiki Qabathe and Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane officially launched the programme on Thursday with a call for police officers to take the jab and save lives.
“I am encouraging each and every Free Stater to get vaccinated,” said Qabathe, who is the MEC for social development.
“The first phase started with the frontline workers from the department of health and then the elderly, aged over 60. We were all eager, saying when are we coming in?”
“The jab is not sore. It’s just normal. I am happy that I am vaccinating together with the men and women in blue – the police and our traffic officers,” she added.
“They are also frontliners . . . going out there risking their lives and those of their families in order to serve us.”
Between March 2020 and July 2021, a total of 2 008 police officers were infected by COVID-19 in the Free State.
The province recorded 58 fatalities related to the virus among the police.
A total of 16 vaccination sites have been set up across the province.
The provincial police vaccination programme is expected to run for a month.
Motswenyane said she was happy the police were finally getting vaccinated as the coronavirus continues to put people’s lives at risk.
“As law enforcers, we come into contact with perpetrators who may be infected with the coronavirus,” she said.
“So, by getting vaccinated, I can say we are safer now to carry out our duties.”
The provincial police boss could however not give an exact number of those to be vaccinated but stated that all police officers, reservists, office staff and contract workers are eligible for vaccination.
“Remember, this is voluntary but as the provincial commissioner together with the labour unions, we are encouraging members to come forth for the vaccine so that we can all go out there and serve communities without the fear of being infected,” said Motswenyane.
Several police officers who were vaccinated at the provincial launch expressed confidence that they will be able to do their work without worrying much about infections.
“It’s very important . . . we have been on the frontline since the beginning of COVID-19. So, it’s important that we get our vaccines so that we can do our work to the best of our abilities,” said Sergeant Ian Gaobepe.
Constable Puleng Koena said she welcomed the opportunity to get vaccinated as she is aware of the dangers of the disease.
“Prevention is better than cure, that’s why I am here. I will be more comfortable when dealing with people but still I don’t have to relax. I still have to be safe, observing all the important measures,” said Koena.
Sergeant Nthabiseng Khoba, a member of the public order police unit, said she witnessed the difficulties her father went through after testing positive for COVID-19 and will not take chances by not getting vaccinated.
“My father stayed in hospital for 17 days and I saw how critical he was. And at public order police where I work, we lost a lot of members due to COVID-19. So, if there is anything that I can do to save my life, I will do it. The first step for me is taking the vaccine,” said Khoba confidently.
