In leading by example, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) COVID-19 Response Task Team Chair, Professor Champaklal Jinabhai recently took his Pfizer booster shot at DUT’s Isolempilo Campus Health Clinic, Steve Biko campus on Thursday, 12 May 2022.
He is encouraging the DUT Community who are due to take their booster shots to do so immediately to protect themselves and those around them against COVID-19.
Prof Jinabhai took his second dose of Pfizer last year in June 2021 and he now felt the need to take his booster shot to protect himself from the looming fifth wave of COVID-19.
“The number of community and campuses that are affected by COVID-19 is rising, so we need to be protected,” he said.
Prof Jinabhai shared that after taking his second dose of Pfizer, him and his wife tested positive for COVID-19 in February 2022. He said they were ill for two to three days with some flu like symptoms, but they recovered completely because they already had two doses of the vaccine.
After testing positive for COVID-19, Prof Jinabhai indicated that they followed the necessary COVID-19 precautions, where they isolated themselves for about seven days.
“We took some supplements such as Vitamins D and Zinc, and also applied precautions such as washing our hands and wearing of masks. I encourage all the staff and students who haven’t taken their vaccine to take it because the fifth wave of COVID infection is approaching. Those who have taken their first dose should come for their second dose and followed by booster as well. The COVID-19 vaccine is available on campus and it is free, all they have to do is come to the clinic at Steve Biko campus and take the jab,” reiterated Prof Jinabhai.
He said there is no need for people to have reservations about taking the COVID-19 vaccine as it has been given to over a billion of people all over the world, over the last two and a half years.
“There is nothing to worry about, everybody should take their COVID-19 vaccine. The side effects are very minimal, there is just a little pain on the arm for few hours for a day or two, maybe a sight tiredness and sight swelling and maybe a little bit of fever. There are no serious side effects, we have been giving the vaccination at the health clinics. Just to reassure our staff and students not to listen to fake news, or the negative things about the vaccination and to come forward for the vaccine,” he said.
He reminded the DUT community that the wearing of masks is still compulsory at DUT and that everyone entering the University must be fully vaccinated as per the DUT Council policy.
Giving more insight on the vaccination process at DUT, Prof Jinabhai said: “At the moment we are only going to give two doses of Pfizer and one booster since that is the requirement for now. Then J&J is one dose and two boosters. If you take two doses of Pfizer, you can take one dose of J&J as a booster. If you took J&J as a first dose you can boost with Pfizer. The booster is compulsory after the initial two doses of vaccines.”
In addition, he said: “We also encourage all to vaccinate because there is a serious influenza epidemic currently in our country and it is important to protect ourselves against both infections, as each infection reduces our immunity and could lead to serious consequences. Vaccination provides protection against serious complications and the need for hospitilsation.”
The DUT Clinic nurses, Chrystal Peterson, Nikita Gardiner and Sine Ngcobo encouraged those who have not vaccinated to vaccinate, saying the COVID-19 virus is mutating all the time. They said every time the virus keeps on coming with the stronger variant, now there is Omicron, a different variant from last year, 2021.
Sharing the same sentiments, DUT’s Isolempilo Clinic Manager, Chief Professional Nurse Soori Wardthen said: “Students and staff need to vaccinate because we are looking at the rising numbers of the infected, yesterday (Wednesday) it was more than 10 000. Vaccinating is the only way we can get the adequate immunity. Students and staff must make use also of the facilities available. We are right here, we are at the door step, students and staffs need to come through and get their vaccination and boosters.”
Pictured: Professor Champaklal Jinabhai taking his booster shot.
Nomvelo Zulu
