NDF pushes ahead with mandatory vaccines
Ogone Tlhage
WINDHOEK
The Namibia Defence Force (NDF) says it will forge ahead with a plan that will see all eligible members vaccinated for Covid-19.
Defence ministry spokesperson Petrus Shilumbu said the directive will remain in force until all eligible members of the NDF have been vaccinated.
He could not say how many members of the force gotten the jab so far.
Defence chief Martin Pinehas last October ordered all eligible NDF members to get vaccinated.
Legally enforceable
Pinehas issued the order in terms of Section 81 of the Defence Act, which states that any member of NDF or any auxiliary services, medical service or reserve force may be required to submit to immunisation or prophylaxis against communicable, infectious or epidemic illness, as may be determined from time to time by a prescribed authority.
“Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and subsequently, following broad implementation of the vaccination, I have observed an exaggerated and misplaced concern and propaganda about the safety of the Covid-19 vaccines,” Pinehas said in a circular dated 29 September 2021.
According to him, widespread misinformation had led to vaccine reluctance, which resulted in deaths among NDF members and affected its capability.
“Consequently, as frontliners with other stakeholders in [the] fight against the pandemic, this low coverage has had a tremendous impact on our operations and capability,” he said.
WINDHOEK
The Namibia Defence Force (NDF) says it will forge ahead with a plan that will see all eligible members vaccinated for Covid-19.
Defence ministry spokesperson Petrus Shilumbu said the directive will remain in force until all eligible members of the NDF have been vaccinated.
He could not say how many members of the force gotten the jab so far.
Defence chief Martin Pinehas last October ordered all eligible NDF members to get vaccinated.
Legally enforceable
Pinehas issued the order in terms of Section 81 of the Defence Act, which states that any member of NDF or any auxiliary services, medical service or reserve force may be required to submit to immunisation or prophylaxis against communicable, infectious or epidemic illness, as may be determined from time to time by a prescribed authority.
“Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and subsequently, following broad implementation of the vaccination, I have observed an exaggerated and misplaced concern and propaganda about the safety of the Covid-19 vaccines,” Pinehas said in a circular dated 29 September 2021.
According to him, widespread misinformation had led to vaccine reluctance, which resulted in deaths among NDF members and affected its capability.
“Consequently, as frontliners with other stakeholders in [the] fight against the pandemic, this low coverage has had a tremendous impact on our operations and capability,” he said.
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