Vaccination opportunity
Our vaccination centre on North Campus will remain open to staff, students and public until Mandela University closes for recess on 15 December.
Students are presently receiving the one-shot Johnson and Johnson jab on campus so that there is no need for them to seek a follow-up shot during recess. However, free vaccinations are now also widely available countrywide to ensure that as many people as possible above the age of 12 are immunised against the devastating impact of the coronavirus.
New variant
According to experts, the new mutations of the Delta variant are more transmissible than the original Delta variant, which was more transmissible than the Beta-variant of the second wave.
In addition, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has today confirmed rising concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragments in wastewater in the cities of Tshwane (Gauteng) and Nelson Mandela Bay (Eastern Cape).
With the fourth wave confirmed in Gauteng, the forecast for rest of country is to expect the peak of transmissions early in the new year.
Staff vaccination numbers
We are pleased to share that almost 70 percent of University staff are now fully vaccinated. The percentage of Mandela University students who have been vaccinated is more difficult to determine as we do not have access to the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EDVS).
We do know that the University has given more than 5000 vaccinations to our own students to date.
Staying safe, remaining agile
As in the past, given the ever-changing trajectory of the coronavirus, the University continues to remain agile, by being pro-active and responsive to any challenges to keep staff and students safe.
We will endeavour to keep you abreast of developments.
Call for vigilance
As we enter the holiday season, the University calls for more vigilance and adherence to the required COVID-19 protocols to help curb the spread of the infection. Please avoid closed spaces; crowded places; and close contact settings and maintain your social distance in residences or anywhere else.
Remember, it is compulsory to wear a mask at all times when in the public or among other people and wash or sanitise your hands regularly.
Vaccination Rollout Workstream