… critiques travel bans and joins WHO call for vaccine equity.
“The new policy further demonstrates our steadfast
dedication to keeping our people and the communities we work and live in safe
and healthy.
While there may still be some unknowns related to this
pandemic, the science is clear – vaccines effectively prevent severe illness,
hospitalisation and death. It is time for everyone who can, to get vaccinated
to limit the spread of the virus and prevent further strains from developing.”
Both the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres
for Disease Control advocate for vaccines – saying that they are an important
measure to protect people. The global rollout of vaccinations since 2020 has
clearly contributed to the containment and management of the virus in many
countries.
In addition, MTN Nigeria, alongside the MTN Group, has added
its voice to growing calls for global leaders to accelerate vaccine equity and
lift unjust travel bans imposed on African countries.
“The events of the past twenty months have underlined how
connected and interdependent we all are. Such travel restrictions have proven
to be counterproductive, hampering research, aid and economic activity without
any significant impact on the spread of new variants. If the past is prologue,
then the only way through this is together, and it is time to set side
geographical divisions and heed calls for greater vaccine equity.
If Africa had access to vaccines at the same time as the
rest of the world, then we might not face the challenge that these new variants
represent.” Toriola added.
MTN Group’s new vaccine policy is a measure to meet MTN’s
legal obligations in regard to providing a safe workplace and shall be subject
to risk assessment and local laws that apply to the MTN Group and its operating
companies and subsidiaries.
It also recognises the right of employees to apply to be
exempted from the policy and/or refuse vaccination on certain clearly defined
grounds. For those staff who are not exempt from vaccinations either through
risk assessment or agreed exclusions but still refuse vaccination, MTN will not
be obliged to continue the employment contract.
The new mandatory vaccination policy follows the Group’s
US$25million donation to the African Union’s COVID-19 vaccination programme.