As previously communicated, the UJ Council has resolved that all campuses and facilities will be mandatory vaccination sites as from this year (2022). This outcome follows extensive communication and consultation 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 seeking legal opinion. The outcome to declare UJ a vaccination site will ensure that our staff and students have optimal access to learning, research, laboratory and clinical workspaces within a safe environment.
In terms of the process and the way forward, it means that employees are required to be partially vaccinated (in the instances of the Pfizer first dose vaccine) and to have uploaded their Proof of Vaccination to https://ulink.uj.ac.za/ujvac by 1 February 2022.
This will be captured on their personal files and linked to the individual access card. A temporary access permit will be allocated until the employee is fully vaccinated. Employees are to be fully vaccinated and to have uploaded their Proof of Vaccination, using the same link, by 15 March 2022. Assistance for employees having difficulty to submit their vaccination certificate, can be requested from +27 11 559 4555 or mylife@uj.ac.za.
On return to campuses and facilities, all precautionary health measures, including but not exclusive to social distancing, wearing of masks, hand washing/sanitising, must be observed. Prior to the abovementioned dates, the normal access protocols will need to be adhered to.
Employees must either be fully vaccinated by Friday, 15 March 2022, or have been approved for exemption from vaccination. Employees may not refuse to work on account of not being fully vaccinated.
For detailed information on applications for exemption, including the composition of the UJ COVID19 Mandatory Vaccination Committee, medical and religious reasons, and documents required, please refer to the document Mandatory Vaccination Policy: Implementation Protocol.
Employees will be given paid time off to receive their vaccination. Proof of attendance at the vaccination site will be required.
The Logistics Department will provide transport to the Netcare Milpark and Liberty Life COVID-19 vaccination sites as follows:
- Transport will only be provided on Mondays and Thursdays between 14h00 and 16h00
- Request from employees must be submitted via their line manager to the campus health clinic a day in advance so that proper arrangements can be made.
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.
Queries regarding the Mandatory Vaccination Policy or the Protocol may be directed to ujcovid19@uj.ac.za. Queries regarding the safety and efficacy of Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, or vaccination more generally, may be directed to UJ Health Services.
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.
