Students at the Chrysalis Academy in To\u00adkai are playing an integral part in advocating for the vaccine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Thursday 17 February, the DP Marais Vaccination team vaccinated a group of young adults at the youth development aca\u00addemy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Administration officer in the training and development department of the academy Abigail Neumann explains: \u201cWe chose to embark on a vaccination drive as we wanted to ensure the safety of all learners and staff. A number of staff and students are currently interacting on campus for a period of three months as part of our residential programme.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neumann says the students had a choice as to whether they wanted to get vaccinated or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are very happy that most of them have decided to do so,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suzanne Pietersen (25) shares: \u201cI have a four-year-old daughter, she is my life\u2026 She saved me in so many ways. I chose to get vaccinated to take care of myself, so that I am well and can, therefore, be healthy and well to take care of my daughter.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Storm Otto (20) says she got vaccinated because she has a 98-year-old grandmother. \u201cWe all move in and out of the house, so to protect her and the rest of my family I got vaccinated. I know there are fearful youngsters out there, but I assure you there is no\u00adthing wrong. As young people, we love to be in touch with one another and so this helps us to be better protected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bulelani Maqina (25) is a 2021 graduate form the academy and has returned this year to work as an admin intern. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI chose to be vaccinated as I live with my mother who is quite old. If I have the virus I can at least fight it. My mother took the vaccine to reduce her risk of suffering severely. I cannot imagine losing my hero.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vaccination of young people remains a key focus for Western Cape government health workers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vaccine outreach manager Levona Johnson believes that voices of young people advocating to their peers can be a powerful tool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe go the extra mile to ensure that we capture these moments, and that we give opportunity for young people to express their thoughts, and even fears, so that their peers who are hesitant can see and hear what they have to say.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In September 2021, Unicef South Africa conducted a poll via its free U-Report SMS platform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
More than 5 000 responses were received of which 75% of the respondents were aged up to 24 years. Their responses indica\u00adted that only 55% would get vaccinated against Covid-19 if it would be recommended to them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently in the Western Cape, the provincial dashboard shows that only 46,4% of young adults aged 18 \u2013 35 are registered for vaccinations. Although this age group has been eligible to get the Covid-19 vaccine since August last year, anecdotal reports as to why the uptake among young adults remain low suggest that many still believe the disinformation spread on social media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the beginning of the vaccine rollout, social media has been rife with posts which include myths and fake news \u2013 this has had a huge impact on the perception of the vaccine efficacy and safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nolene Koeries says she has friends in her area who do not want to be vaccinated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is because there are so many rumours that are still being spread, making you think that it\u2019s not safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI chose to be vaccinated so that I can create a safe environment for those around me. Now that I have experienced this, I can see they have nothing to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jamie Maart (19) says he got vaccinated for his own safety and for those around him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy message to other youngsters my age who are afraid is that it is for our own safety and to protect ourselves out of concern for our loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Western Cape Government Health continues to respond through outreach initiatives to increase access opportunities to the vaccine. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n All citizens who have not yet been vaccinated can visit any outreach should they wish to or visit their nearest vaccination site. <\/span> Students at the Chrysalis Academy in To\u00adkai are playing an integral part in advocating for the 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