Africa-Press – Namibia. NAMIBIAN Defence Force (NDF) public relations officer colonel Petrus Shilumbu said the NDF is not forcing anyone to get vaccinated.
Shilumbu rubbished widespread perceptions that the requirements for NDF applicants to be vaccinated against Covid-19 is a government scam to increase vaccinations.
He said due to the environment in which recruits are trained, often sleeping in overcrowded tents and marching closely to one another, it is imperative that the NDF set Covid-19 vaccinations as a requirement.
“We had members of the NDF who succumbed to Covid-19 already, and many others were severely sick with Covid-19, including myself.
“We just want to keep everybody healthy, because the moment we have everybody vaccinated, then we are all well protected.”
Shilumbu said the NDF has already set up a directive, in place since November 2021, to have all NDF members vaccinated.
“We are not forcing people to be vaccinated, our invitation says that people should be vaccinated. We are not forcing anybody to get Covid-19 vaccinations, we are just saying these are the requirements.
“Each organisation or institution sets a standard, people only question things when they are not in their favour. Other institutions stick to their requirements. We just want to make sure that all our trainees are protected, it’s not about getting the vaccination numbers up,” Shilumbu asserted.
Health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe also denied the allegations.
“I do not hold the view that responsible leaders and administrators or managers work or carry out their duties on the basis of ploys,” Nangombe said.
Earlier this week, the NDF announced that people interested in joining its ranks should apply, with the requirement that they are vaccinated for Covid-19, and are between the ages of 18 and 25. Applicants are also required to undergo medical tests including an HIV/AIDS test.
They should also possess a Grade 12 certificate, and female applicants should be able to run 2,4 km in 14 minutes and 30 seconds.
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