Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions

Must I have my 2nd jab at the venue sent on SMS?

You can have your 2nd jab at any vaccine cantre, irresepctive of what you receive via SMS.

When is the Vaccine Centre open

The Vaccination Centre on the University's North Campus is open from 09:00 to 14:00 from Monday to Thursday and from 09:00 to 12:00 on Fridays.

I am due to receive my second vaccination next week. Can I have my second vaccination at the university even though I had my first elsewhere? 2) Can I come to the university (with my vaccination card) even though I have not received the sms for the second vaccination? 3) Can I bring my 90 year old mother for her second vaccination?

Yes, you and your mother can have your 2nd vaccination at the Univeristy without receiving the 2nd sms.

How does the EVDS system pick up that we are Mandela University staff?

You may select the University from the drop down menu when selecting your vaccination site on Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS).

Who gives the vaccination vouchers? The DOH or the University?

The DOH.

Will the current vaccinations protect us against other COVID-19 variants?

The vaccine will protect you from severe disease and death against most COVID variants.

Are there any allergens in the vaccine?

This is not yet known.

Do you have to be a member of staff to be vaccinated at the University or will you also be vaccinating other members of the public living in Summerstrand?

We will service the public within a 5km radius as soon as accreditation is awarded. Spouses may also request to be vaccinated at the University.

What happens if you don't have access to the EVDS?

You can register via USSD or WhatsApp as well. Visit our coronavirus site for more information.

If a person had auto immune diseases, would it be safe to take the vaccine?

You should consult with your doctor.

Which vaccine is the best?

This is debatable. But any of the approved COVID-19 vaccine offers you protection against the virus

A vaccine is a medicine that helps the body fight infections and illnesses. Vaccines have stopped millions of children from getting sick and dying from diseases like measles, polio and mumps. Many adults have had vaccines against diseases like the flu and tetanus. Most vaccines are given by injection. The COVID-19 vaccine will also be given by injection.

What is the COVID-19 vaccine?

This is a new vaccine that helps the body to fight the COVID-19 virus. It works like other vaccines. It helps the body recognize this new sickness, then it prepares the body to fight the virus so that you do not get sick.

Why should I have the vaccine?

We can all get COVID-19. Some of us will get it and not even know that we have it and will unintentionally infect others who can get very ill and even die. The more people who have the vaccine, the less chance there is that the virus can spread in our communities.

Will the vaccine stop me from getting COVID-19?

Yes, it will stop most people who get the vaccine from getting sick with COVID-19. A very small number of people may still get a little sick from COVID-19 after they have been vaccinated. Without the vaccination, however, they may have become very ill and even die.

Why do we need to use this vaccine?

COVID-19 has caused the death of millions of people around the world. Vaccines save lives. This vaccine is a key intervention in halting the transmission of the virus as it protects you from contracting it.

What is herd or population immunity?

When a lot of people in a community are vaccinated, the virus has a hard time circulating because most of the people it encounters are immune. The more people who are vaccinated, the less likely people who are unable to be protected by vaccines are at risk of even being exposed to the virus. This is called herd immunity. No single vaccine provides 100% protection, and herd immunity does not provide full protection to those who cannot safely be vaccinated.

Who will get the vaccine?

Our government wants most of our people in South Africa, at least 40 million, to be vaccinated by the end of 2021. The more people who are protected/vaccinated against COVID-19, the sooner the virus will go away.

Can everyone have the vaccine?

Most people can safely have the vaccine. But before you are given the vaccine, the health care worker will ask you some questions to check your health. You will not be given the vaccine unless it is safe for you.

Who is buying the COVID-19 vaccine for South Africa?

Government is sourcing, distribution and overseeing the rollout of the vaccine. It is the only purchaser of vaccines and will distribute it to provincial governments and the private sector. A national register for COVID-19 vaccinations is being established. The vaccination system will be based on a pre-vaccination registration and appointment system. All those vaccinated, will be placed on a national register and provided with a vaccination card. A national rollout committee will oversee the vaccine implementation in both the public and private sectors.

I have already had COVID-19, do I still need the vaccine?

Yes, as some people have contracted COVID-19 for the second time. The vaccine will help prevent you getting sick again.

After the vaccine can I stop wearing a mask?

No, as there is still a small chance that you will contract COVID-19.

Please continue to:

Wear a mask
Wash and sanitise your hands regularly
Keep your distance
Keep windows open
Avoid crowds

Can a diabetic also have the Covid-19 vaccine?

Yes, people with co-morbidities like diabetes can have the vaccine.

How do the various vaccines work and what is the difference between them?

For information on this - you may fine the follwing sites useful:

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/24/health/covid-vaccines-design-explained/index.html

https://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2020-12-31/What-are-the-differences-between-the-COVID-19-vaccines--WEq6ZrU9lS/index.html

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-do-covid-19-vaccines-compare-with-other-existing-vaccines

What if I had my vaccine (AstraZeneca) in another country?

If your first vaccine dose was AstraZeneca (outside of South Africa) you will get one dose of Pfizer as your second dose to complete your vaccination process.

Can your spouse be vaccinated at the university?

Yes they can.

Which vaccine will we use?

Currently J&J and Pfizer are the only available vaccines in South Africa. These are allocated by the DOH to specific vaccination sites. The DOH will direct each person who signs up to their nearest site, unless they specify otherwise. The University will only be administering Pfizer at this stage. We are guided by the DOH.

What is the size of the needle? Is it the smallest needle?

Vaccines are injected in the arm which is one of our smaller muscles, and the needle used is small.

How is the COVID-19 vaccine given?

The vaccine will be given by a trained health care worker in places like hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, or doctors’ surgeries. In the case of Nelson Mandela University, it will be administered by colleagues at the COVID-19 screening centre on North Campus, along with specially adapted venues in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and on our George Campus.

The injection is given in the arm. For it to work properly, you need two injections. You will get the second injection between four and 12 weeks after the first one. Your health care worker will tell you when to come back for the second injection. It is very important that you get both injections.

Full details of the vaccination rollout programme will be provided.

How long will the vaccine take to work?

You will have some protection after the first injection. You will be most protected about seven days after the second injection.

How long will I be protected against COVID-19 after having had the vaccine?

This is a new illness, so we do not know yet how long you are protected for. Doctors hope that it will be for a long time.

Will we all get the vaccine at the same time?

No, as there are not enough vaccines in the world right now to give everyone the vaccine straight away. The government is committed to ensuring that we will have enough vaccines this year for most people in the country. The vaccine will be rolled out in three phases.

Are there any known risks associated to the Pfizer vaccine for people with comorbidities?

No known risks have been reported to date.

What are the chances of developing an auto immune disease in the future, and what are the long-term effects?

At the moment, we are not even sure if there are allergens in the vaccine.

Can you be vaccinated while pregnant?

With regards to pregnancy, the benefits of taking the vaccine outweigh the risks of the circumstances. For example, for a pregnant healthcare worker, the benefit outweighs the risks so she will be advised to be vaccinated. Otherwise, we will be guided by the gynaecologists regarding all other pregnant women and vaccination.

If you are sensitive to taking penicillin, will you be allowed to be vaccinated?

Penicillin sensitivity will be one of the precautionary measures to be taken and will be taken into account.

If you have been taking immune boosting medication regularly for the past year, should you continue taking this medication?

Yes you should.

What happens if I develop side effects after the jab? Do I alert the health clinic or my doctor? Or do I simply let it pass? Or to rephrase the question, when to do I know, this is an extreme side effect?

You can download the Med Safety App from your App store on your phone to report side effects.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?

Yes, the vaccine that will be used in South Africa is safe. It has already been given to millions of people around the world. The vaccines have been developed and tested by scientists around the world, including in South Africa. The country has some of the best doctors and nurses in the world. They will not allow us to use a vaccine that is not safe.

Although it was developed very quickly to save lives, it has gone through all the tests, including approvals from a panel of experts from the World Health Organisation.

Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions

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