The vaccination drive at the Central University of Technology is well underway with employees and students voluntarily queuing at the campus vaccination sites to get their Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson jab. 

As a caring university, CUT continues to play a role in keeping all staff and students safe on-site. By so doing, the institution encourages the entire CUT community to play a critical role in combating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the safety of others.

From 24 to 28 January 2022 CUT, in collaboration with the Provincial Health Department, embarked on a vaccination drive to encourage all employees and students who have not yet been vaccinated to get their jabs and/or booster in a quest to save lives.

Karabo, a 21-year-old second-year Clinical Technology student(right) from Viljoenskroon, said that she is more than happy to be receiving her second Pfizer shot. She was also impressed that the process was quick, and the facility is easily accessible. Karabo said she received her first jab at the Clicks Pharmacy in her hometown. When advising her fellow students, she said “I believe in vaccines. We grew up being vaccinated and we are still alive! It is now or never; the ball is in our court.”

Another final year Advanced Diploma student Zoleka, said that vaccines are important, and they save lives. “I don’t understand the fuss around this particular vaccine because vaccinations have been there forever. If you know what’s good for you, follow suit and create a safe learning environment for all of us.”  Zoleka’s first jabbed the Johnson & Johnson, and this visit was for her to the booster. “I feel great, and I am happy to do the right thing because, after all, this is my life and I feel obligated to preserve it. Why wait, vaccinate!” she added.

CUT Clinic Nursing Sister, Sr Masiza said she is happy that their slow start on day 1 with just above 20 students has overwhelmingly picked up and she is looking forward for the numbers to double. “I am happy that our employees and students are taking this campaign seriously and are voluntarily joining our queues to get their jabs. This is really encouraging to see our numbers increasing since we started this drive for 2022. I am hopeful that by the end of this drive, we would have reached more and more.”

Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Alfred Ngowi, said “being vaccinated does not mean we must be unthinking. A person can contract Covid-19 even when they have been vaccinated. Let us continue to practice caution by wearing masks, washing/sanitising our hands, ensuring good ventilation indoors, physically distancing, as well as avoiding crowds. Together we can combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, “he concluded.

When visiting the CUT Vaccination site (CUT clinic), you are requested to present the following:

1. Your student or staff card
2. Your vaccination card (if you have already received one dose of vaccination)
3. Identity Document (ID)

Captions

1: At the CUT Bloemfontein Campus Medical Centre: Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Alfred Ngowi, encouraging unvaccinated staff and students to follow his lead and get their jabs.

2: Karabo, a 21-year-old second-year Clinical Technology student from Viljoenskroon chose to get her vaccination.