Registration for 35 to 49 age group
All Mandela University staff and students in the 35 to 49 age group are encouraged to register via the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EDVS) - from 15 July, in support of the global goal of saving lives and ending the pandemic that has claimed more than 64 000 lives in South Africa alone in the past 16 months.
Vaccination of this group is expected to commence from 1 August.
Vaccination numbers
As at 9 July, 2487 people have received the first of their two Pfizer jabs at the University’s Vaccination Centre, starting with the over-60s from 14 June, and the over-50s from early July, in line with the phased national rollout programme. The majority of those vaccinated at the University have been from the public, including any qualifying spouses and partners of the 432 staff members who have been vaccinated to date. Check out the syringe icon on the staff portal to see how the University’s quest to achieve the 67% target of herd immunity is gaining traction.
The establishment of the University’s Vaccination Centre on North Campus, with a second centre expected to open on George Campus shortly, follows an agreement and accreditation by the Department of Health to become a master facility.
Service praise and constraints
The service offered by the Centre has been widely praised for its professionalism and quick turn-around times, in spite of staffing constraints. At present, only six of the ten vaccination stations are fully operational.
Negotiations are ongoing with the Department of Health and medical aid service providers to supplement the work being performed by the University’s Occupational Health Services staff. The latter team are performing this service over and above their day-to-day commitments, and the ongoing COVID-19 surveillance and management of the University’s staff and students.
Ongoing improvements
In addition, the University is committed to improving its processes to ensure an optimum service.
To this end, where possible, preference will continue to be given to staff. While qualifying staff will be individually notified by the institution of the opportunity to be vaccinated at the University’s North Campus, they should also identify themselves at the Vaccination Centre by presenting their staff cards to staff working there. They and their partners will then be referred to a specific queue.
Furthermore, please note that:
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Access to the Vaccination Centre site via the North Campus entrance may, at times, be limited or restricted, especially close to closing time in order to better manage numbers.
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Operating hours are now from 9am to 2pm from Monday to Thursday, and 9am to midday on Fridays, but may end earlier dependent on the numbers of those awaiting vaccinations.
Spread the word
To support the work of the Occupational Health and Student Health Services teams at this time, please use your own networks to spread the word in terms of new operating hours and the necessary supporting management of on-campus numbers for the vaccination.
As the vaccination process operates on a walk-in basis, it is difficult to gauge expected numbers, and therefore, the University – and indeed, all other vaccination centres – run a risk of having to turn people away. It wishes to avoid all such disappointment where this is at all possible.
The University thanks you for your understanding and support in this.
For queries please contact occupationalhealth@mandela.ac.za or call 041 504 1003.
Coronavirus Task Team
Vaccination Rollout Workstream