The University of Pretoria (UP), through its Faculty of Health Sciences, has become the first academic institution in South Africa to open a COVID-19 vaccination site. On 7 June the University vaccinated its first patient at its Prinshof Campus.

The facility is classified as a non-medical outreach site for Pretoria’s FF Ribeiro Clinic and is currently administering vaccinations to healthcare workers registered on the Health Professions Council of South Africa and citizens over the age of 60 against COVID-19 in phase 1 of South Africa’s vaccination drive.

The Faculty is administering nearly 100 vaccinations daily and will increase capacity once more vaccines are available. Dean of the Faculty Professor Tiaan de Jager said, “Master’s students from the Faculty have received training from the FF Ribeiro Clinic and are helping patients through the registration processes before registered nurses vaccinate patients against COVID-19. The Faculty is also in the process of vaccinating students, healthcare workers and staff from the University who meet the criteria.

“The University of Pretoria is determined to help support the Gauteng Department of Health’s efforts to help vaccinate citizens in Gauteng. We encourage healthcare workers and elders over 60 within the UP community to not procrastinate but to vaccinate for their protection against COVID-19. We will offer the same support to other UP staff and students when we move to phase 2 and 3 of the vaccination roll-out,” he added.

UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe said two of the University’s strategic goals are making an impact on society and community engagement. “I am delighted that the Faculty of Health Sciences is recognised as a vaccination site and is helping communities by doing work that is relevant and that matters. I urge staff and students who qualify to get vaccinated.”

Only registered healthcare workers and citizens over the age of 60 who are registered are currently allowed to be vaccinated at the facility due to the limited number of vaccines that the Faculty receives daily.

Those who are eligible in stage 1 of the COVID-19 vaccinations should follow these steps to be registered: 

Health Care Workers

• Step 1: Please find the link for the registration to vaccination of health professionals: https://bookings.v4hcw.co.za/vax/. 
• Step 2: Please complete the UP form: Google Form. Once completed, details are added to the form. If clicking on “Google form” does not work, please use this URL: https://forms.gle/rBgY9CDTUyvAL4Up8.
• Step 3: Wait until a representative makes contact to confirm the COVID-19 vaccination appointment.

Citizens over 60

• Step 1: Please find the link for registration for vaccination of 60 years and over: https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/#/
• Step 2: Please complete the UP google form: Google Form. Once completed, details will be added to the form. If clicking on “Google form” does not work, please use this URL: https://forms.gle/rBgY9CDTUyvAL4Up8
• Step 3: Wait until a representative makes contact to confirm the COVID-19 vaccination appointment.