Dear UJ Community,
As you will recall, the University has over the last few weeks extensively communicated and consulted with staff and students regarding the possibility of declaring UJ as a mandatory vaccination site. This process was guided by the principles of transparency, openness and accountability, including surveys for staff, students and Senate members, as well as legal opinion.
The UJ Council at its meeting on 25 November 2021 resolved that all (UJ) campuses and facilities will be mandatory vaccination sites from 1 January 2022. This means that staff, postdoctoral research fellows and students will need to provide UJ with their vaccination status (e.g., first vaccination completed or fully vaccinated) before gaining access to any campus or facility. These measures also apply to ad hoc contractors, identified stakeholders and visitors.
This outcome will ensure that our staff, postdoctoral research fellows and students have optimal access to the University’s precincts for purposes of working, learning, research, laboratory and clinical work whilst protecting the health and safety of the University community and its stakeholders. The need for optimal access to the campuses and facilities has become crucial in part because of the socioeconomic circumstances of our students. Additionally, some learning programmes require in-person engagement for research and experiential learning.
Exemptions, based on medical or religious grounds, will be considered. It is important to note, however, that UJ will balance the rights of individuals against the collective rights of the broader University and the surrounding community. As the collective rights take precedence, the rights of individuals may be limited, in terms of section 36 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
Read the COVID-19 UJ Mandatory Vaccination Policy here.
More information on implementation of this mandatory vaccination policy will be communicated soon.
We would like to thank everyone who has already taken the opportunity to be vaccinated. We once again remind our students and staff who have not yet been vaccinated that the Liberty Life in Braamfontein and the Netcare Milpark Hospital, which have been identified as UJ dedicated sites, remain open.
Those who may not be able to make use of these sites may choose other available vaccination sites closer to their workplaces and homes. If you cannot register via the EVDS (Electronic Vaccination Data System), you can book for your vaccination at any vaccination site across South Africa via https://sacoronavirus.co.za/active-vaccination-sites/.
Below are some useful steps to receive your COVID-19 vaccine:
- Register for the Covid-19 vaccine on the government’s EVDS system (https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/#/)
- Visit the confirmed vaccination site on the date and time of your booking.
- Take your EVDS SMS as proof of registration and your proof of identity (South African ID or passport) to the vaccination site. Alternatively,
- Walk-in to any vaccination site to register and vaccinate.
Please inform us about your vaccination status via the link: https://ulink.uj.ac.za/ujvac. Enter the information after your first vaccination, and where relevant, update it after your second vaccination. You may also use this link to notify our campus clinics if you have tested positive for COVID-19, or if you know of a colleague or a student who has tested positive.
We appreciate your cooperation and support in this effort as we work together to ensure that the University remains a safe place for everyone. Protecting our community requires all of us to do our part.
Issued by University Management
University of Johannesburg
