Transport to the dedicated UCT vaccination site in Pinelands

Dear colleagues and students

I am writing to update you on the latest vaccination information for members of the University of Cape Town (UCT) community.

The Pinelands Emergency Medical Services (EMS) vaccination site, in Alexandra Road, has allocated next Monday and Tuesday, 2 and 3 August 2021, for UCT staff members who are 35+ years old to receive their first dose of the vaccine with little or no queuing. Please bring your UCT staff card, ID book, medical aid details (if applicable) and the SMS you received after registering for the vaccination on the EVDS system.

• Watch a video of the Pinelands EMS Vaccine Centre that shows what you can expect.
• Read the Western Cape Department of Health COVID Vaccination Fact Sheet.
• Register online for vaccination.

UCT will provide Jammie Shuttle transportation to the Pinelands EMS site every 30 minutes from 07:30 on 2 and 3 August, from North Stop via Tugwell. The last shuttle will leave at 14:30. You are also welcome to make your own way to the site.

Colleagues who are over 35 years old and have registered on the EVDS system may also visit any other vaccination site if that is more convenient. However, you will then need to join the queue with other members of the public. Jammie Shuttle transportation will not be provided to any other site.

• View the list of COVID-19 vaccination sites in the Western Cape.

If you have already received your first dose of the vaccine, you will receive an SMS to tell you where to go to receive the second dose. The service on Monday and Tuesday next week at the Pinelands EMS vaccination site is dedicated to eligible UCT staff to receive a vaccine for the first time.

If you are in the eligible age group and have not yet registered for the vaccine, please take a moment to do so now through the EVDS system. You will receive an SMS to verify your registration, which you will need to show at the vaccination site.

Everyone who is receiving the vaccine needs to ensure that they:

• are not currently experiencing any flu symptoms or have had flu symptoms in the previous two weeks;
• have not received a COVID-19 positive diagnosis in the previous 30 days; and
• have not received any other vaccinations (such as for flu or hepatitis) in the previous two weeks

If you are unsure of your medical history or have any questions about the advisability of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, please consult with your medical practitioner or contact one of the following the COVID assistance facilities:

• National hotline: 0800 029 999
• Provincial hotline: 021 928 4102
• Toll-free hotline: 080 928 4102
• Email: doh.dismed@westerncape.gov.za
• WhatsApp "Hi" to 060 012 3456

We are making progress with the Western Cape Department of Health to set up a community vaccination site at the Forest Hills residence complex. The site will be open to all eligible UCT staff and students and eligible members of the public.

From 1 September, people who are aged 18-35 years or older will become eligible for the vaccine. This is very good news, as it increases the possibility of returning to more face-to-face activities when we begin the 2022 academic year, if not sooner.

Please complete the online COVID-19 induction programme if you have not yet done so. This induction is mandatory for all students and staff members, even if you completed it last year. It is one of the ways the university ensures that each of us knows how to prevent the spread of the virus while on campus. Staff members who do not have online access or smartphones will need to contact their line managers to make an alternative arrangement.

• Complete the UCT 2021 COVID-19 induction.

In case you are wondering, I have been vaccinated against COVID-19. So have many colleagues in senior leadership at UCT. It is a small step that makes a huge difference, because each of us is taking personal responsibility to help save lives, reduce the workload on the hardworking health sector, and keep our loved ones healthy. This is a time when we all have to do what we can to keep each other safe. So please join me and other UCT colleagues who have “had the jab”.

Sincerely

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
Vice-Chancellor

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements