The University of South Africa (Unisa) has expanded health services offered to students with both antigen rapid testing for COVID-19 as well as vaccinations.
These services are not offered at all Unisa physical campuses so the below locations should be kept in mind:
- An on-campus SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) antigen rapid testing area and isolation room (CAS van Vuuren Building, Muckleneuk Campus).
- An on-campus vaccination site (Protea Restaurant, OR Tambo Building, Muckleneuk Campus).
Those who are not close to these campuses can find a list of suggested alternate vaccination sites recommended by Unisa here.
“Unisa staff and students are encouraged to participate in the voluntary on-campus vaccination programme. Vaccinations will be administered in the Protea Restaurant, OR Tambo Building, Muckleneuk Campus on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 09:00 to 15:00,” Unisa writes in an update.
This programme is ongoing and will last until 17th December.
The vaccinations, unlike some walk-in offerings around the country, require pre-registration for Unisa employees and students which can be done through several methods:
- Self-registration web portal: https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za
- USSD: Dial *134*832*ID Number# (No ID? – Just Dial *134*832#)
- WhatsApp portal: Send word “REGISTER” to 060 012 3456 on WhatsApp
- Toll-free hotline: Call 0800 029 999
- Self-registration general instructions: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/evds/ (use your SA Identity Number).
“For those who want to be vaccinated through this programme must please bring along their Unisa staff card/student card and identity card/document. If you do not have medical aid, you can still participate in the vaccination programme,” Unisa concludes.
In the last 24 hours, 687 COVID-19 cases have been reported along with two fatalities. While these numbers are lower than they have been over the last few months thanks to vaccination efforts, South Africa is still far from eradicating the pandemic. An estimated 13 876 443 people have been fully vaccinated already which is decent portion of the population but a number that can always be improved upon.
With most schools closing soon for the holidays, and family gatherings on the cards for many, there is a fear that there will be a COVID-19 resurgence in the new year, something that can be mitigated with vaccinations.
