NAPTOSA has welcomed the proposed vaccination of Children aged between 12 to 17 but also expressed its reservations about how it is being rolled out.
The National Association Professional Teacher’s Union of South Africa has welcomed the health department’s announcement that children aged 12 between and 17 will now be vaccinated.
This age group will be administered a single jab of the Saprah approved Pfizer vaccine.
The teachers union said in a statement that the initiative will have a positive impact in normalizing the education system and bringing stability to the rest of the school year.
Read: Children of 12 and 17 are now eligible to receive Covid-19 vaccinations
However, Naptosa expressed its concerns regarding the fact that this age this group will be allowed to proceed without the consent of their parents.
NAPTOSA is concerned with this aspect of the strategy, believing that the responsibility of parents and guardians for under-age children should not be ignored.
Naptosa further stated that it hopes the government will reconsider this approach and choose one that is more inclusive to parents decision making regarding child’s health.
We trust that Government will have a rethink on this matter, rather opting for an approach allowing the child’s wish to be paramount where there is a difference of opinion between the parent/guardian and the child.
Read: Parents Unhappy Over Decision To Vaccinate Children Without Their Approval
The union also called on the ministry of the Basic Education Department to engage The Department of Health, parents and education unions to maximise this vaccination rollout.