The Nelson Mandela University was approved by the Eastern Cape department of health as a master facility Covid-19 vaccination site and started participating in the national vaccine rollout programme on Monday.
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) has opened a vaccination site which rolls out Covid-19 vaccines to students, staff and the general public. The university has been working with the Eastern Cape department of health in its mitigation strategy and vaccine rollout plan. It is among a few South African universities who have opened vaccination sites.
NMU started with the vaccination of staff members and their spouses aged 60 and above. Their Covid-19 vaccine rollout is happening at the same time that 10 vaccination stations at the university’s Covid-19 centre will officially be opening on its north campus.
The university is in agreement with the health department to serve as a public vaccination site for members of the Summerstrand community who reside within a 5km radius, also aged 60 and above, it noted in a media statement.
SABC News spoke to an 80 year old vaccination candidate, Ellen Vivier who received his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at NMU and he stated that it was quite a pleasant experience with no hassle.
“Mandela University is pleased to be able to serve as a vaccination site for our staff, as well as contribute to the national vaccination programme as a public site,” said Vice-Chancellor, Prof Sibongile Muthwa.
Prof Muthwa says NMU serving as a vaccination site aligns well with the University’s ongoing external focused efforts in collaboration with provincial government, the private sector and civil society organisations.
“[It] strengthens our positioning as an engaged institution in the service of society,” said Prof Muthwa.
Those wanting access to the vaccination area so that they can make use of the vaccination service must ensure that they do/have done the following:
- Are already registered on the Electronic Vaccine Data System (EDVS) https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/#/
- Received a booking date and time slot
- Re-register, if they have registered, but have not yet received feedback
- Bring along the voucher issued to them
- Bring along their identity document.
