The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) COVID-19 Response Task Team is calling for all unvaccinated staff and students to make use of DUT’s COVID-19 Vaccination Centre which is operating daily from Monday 31 January 2022 to Friday, 11 February 2022. The Centre has moved to a bigger venue at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson Campus in Durban to accommodate larger numbers of staff, students and alumni wishing to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

DUT’s Isolempilo Clinic Manager, Chief Professional Nurse Soori Wardthen said they are urging all students and staff to take advantage of the two-week daily COVID-19 vaccination campaign before the lectures start on Monday, 14 February 2022. She said after this campaign the centre will go back to operating only on Thursdays at the Isolempilo Clinic on the Steve Biko campus in Durban, with access via Gate 2.

In the last two weeks, 600 students and staff were vaccinated and the DUT COVID-19 Response Task team hopes to increase this number during the remaining two weeks of the current campaign.

“To date, 1927 students and staff were vaccinated at the DUT on site Vaccination Centre. We are calling on more students and staff to vaccinate. The DUT community is reminded that, according to the Three Choices Vaccination Policy adopted by DUT Council, anyone invited to come to campus – including students, staff, suppliers and other visitors – is required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to be eligible for entry,” said Sister Wardthen.

She also mentioned that last week they managed to convince one student who was totally against vaccination to vaccinate, which she saw as an accomplishment from their side.

Speaking to DUT Communications, after getting his second dose, second-year Accounting student, Phila Ndwandwe (19) from Pietermaritzburg said he realised that he has no choice but to vaccinate as he will not be able to access his residence and the campus. He mentioned that those students who choose not to vaccinate will have a hard time as they will not be able to gain entry at DUT to access its facilities.

Sharing the same sentiments was Information Technology intern at DUT, Zodwa Mkhize (23) who realised that she would miss out on an opportunity to complete her internship at DUT if she does not vaccinate. She highlighted how the DUT vaccination policy clearly states that no unvaccinated staff or student will be allowed entry on campus unless they present the PCR COVID-19 test done within 48 hours, which can be costly for someone who frequents the University.

Those wishing to vaccinate must bring their student/staff card, vaccination card (if applicable) and their ID.

#DUTGetYourJab

#DUTGettingBackToNormal

#VaccinesSaveLives

Pictured: Second-year Accounting student, Phila Ndwandwe after getting his second jab.

Simangele Zuma