COVID-19 infringe BDF operations

Botswana Youth
2 Min Read

Yesterday the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) vaccine reached the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) barracks. Speaking during the roll-out ceremony at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) at Mogoditshane, the BDF commander- Lt. General Placid Segokgo said the vaccine will help the BDF carry out its “mission of defending Botswana’s territorial integrity”

“The vaccine we are launching, will indeed go a long way in tipping the scales in our favour, as far as the battle against the pandemic is concerned, Albeit, I need to underscore and emphasise that this vaccine is not a cure to the COVID-19 virus” Segokgo underscored.

Thanking the government for prioritizing soldiers who are above fifty-five (55) years of age in the first phase, the Commander indicated that the vaccine comes at an opportune time especially that the force has experienced loss of lives already owing to COVID-19.

“This vaccination comes at no better time than now, when BDF has already suffered up to seven (7) demise, secondary to COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. This number includes uniformed, non-uniformed personnel and their dependents. Once again, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Government for including the BDF members who are over 55 years in the list of first recipients of the vaccine. This will indeed ensure that the men and women of this Defence Force both uniformed and non- uniformed, efficiently carry out the primary mission of defending Botswana’s Territorial Integrity Sovereignty and National Interests, including the fight against this deadly pandemic.” he asserted.

Leading by example, walking the talk, Segokgo became the first BDF members to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The recepients of the COVISHIELD AstraZeneca vaccine will have to receive the second shot of the dose in approximately two (2) weeks time to achieve full immunity. The vaccine’s efficacy is estimated at roughly Sixty-three percent (63%).

Share This Article