Youth drive vaccination campaign

VACCINE education and literacy have been identified as an important focus area in building vaccine confidence and trust as South Africa rolls out Covid-19 vaccines.

With a view to bringing an innovative solution to addressing this, while giving young people an opportunity to contribute to their communities, the Solidarity Fund and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, have formed a partnership.

The partnership has seen over 200 young people in five provinces – KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape, North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga – embark on a rural-focused door-to-door campaign, engaging with community members about maintaining preventative behaviours and having meaningful conversations on vaccinations.

The foot soldiers, who have already visited and engaged with just over 21 000 households across the selected provinces since the start of the campaign last month, are tasked with reiterating the importance of Covid-19 safety protocols, which include the proper wearing of masks, covering the nose and mouth, even when in the company of friends and family.

Further, the young people will also assist those who are aged 60 and older to register on the Electronic Vaccination Data System portal to ensure they receive their vaccination. Government reports that registration to receive vaccines through the system is slower than expected.

This campaign and partnership are aimed at addressing the concerns of people in respect of the vaccine rollout, and encouraging greater uptake of the opportunity to be vaccinated.

The campaign will roll out across the selected provinces until the end of June, in full adherence with Covid19 safety protocols. Communities are urged to welcome the advisers.