General

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.