It was a big moment when a group of CPUT frontline health workers became the first from the institution to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

A total of 20 CPUT frontline health workers received their vaccinations at Groote Schuur Hospital on Thursday.

“Western Cape Government Health (WCGH) created a sequencing system for frontline health workers, [in] faculties of health sciences. This is similar to the EVDS (Electronic Vaccination Data System) used nationally for healthcare workers and indeed both systems are being used for the vaccination of healthcare workers,” said Prof Tandi Matsha, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences and chairperson of the CPUT vaccination rollout.

She said vaccination is based on voluntary participation and health workers had to volunteer to participate.

“From CPUT Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences (FHWS), including CPUT health clinics, over 80% of our staff and students volunteered to participate. However, due to the limited number of vaccines at the moment, only those staff members that had been trained to administer vaccines to the CPUT community have been vaccinated today (Thursday)."

Prof Karien Jooste, Head of the Department of Nursing Science added that 18 lecturers in the Department of Nursing Science and two professional nurses from the Health clinic and HIV/Aids Unit had been selected.

Matsha said participants are observed at the vaccination site for some time (15 minutes) after vaccination for adverse reaction, given information on what they may experience later in the day and a contact number should they experience adverse reactions.

“As chair of the vaccination rollout at CPUT, I am extremely happy, and would also like to take this opportunity to ensure the CPUT community that the process will be fair and prioritised, based on needs. I would like to especially thank Prof Mellet Moll, Chair of Health cluster, Prof Karien Jooste (Head of Department, Nursing), Benjamin De Waal and John Meyer (FHWS) who were of extreme help to assist us to meet the requirements of the WCGH sequencing requirements.

“This is greatly appreciated as all would know from the news, Covid-19 vaccination is a developing story with many disruptions along the way and we must, as CPUT, quickly adapt in order to ensure that we receive vaccines.”

Melanie Marais, Head of the HIV/Aids unit, who was among the first group to receive their vaccines, said her experience was very positive and that she received friendly and efficient services from the vaccination site at Groote Schuur Hospital.

“It was comforting to know that the vaccinator was vaccinated about three weeks ago and she could share her experience with me. I did not experience any discomfort so far and was advised that I might experience some side effects and can take two Panados should I have any side effects. I am thankful for all the role players who made this possible. Today made me think of the many healthcare workers and members of the public who lost their lives due to this pandemic. “

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT has entered the next phase in the fight against Covid-19 with all staff members and students over the age of 18 now eligible for vaccination.

Staff and students are encouraged to register on the OPA as well as the EVDS to help speed up the process at the vaccination centre.

Appointments from the OPA registration list are booked weekly and those registered on the OPA will receive an email to confirm their appointment time and date. 

The demand for vaccination is expected to be high at all vaccination sites and centres will only be able to service walk-in clients if spare capacity allows.

Staff and students who receive appointments are requested to respect their appointment dates and times to avoid overcrowding at vaccination sites.

In addition to the CPUT Vaccination Centre, staff and students can go to any other public or private vaccination centre.

There are many myths and misinformation about the vaccines on the internet, which may lead to hesitancy. Here are a few facts to help debunk the myths:

Myth: The vaccine will change my DNA

Fact: Vaccines work by stimulating the body the same way the virus would if someone were infected. That means when you receive the vaccine the body then recognised that it looks like the coronavirus and then it releases certain chemicals that start a chain reaction to make immune cells that can fight the real virus. The vaccine does not work on the DNA of the body. Some people think that because some of the vaccines are made using RNA technology that means the RNA will interact with the DNA. That is not how it works. The technology is simply the way the vaccine is made - not what it will do to the body.

Myth: Vaccines contain a form of microchip that will be used to track and control an individual

Fact: There is no vaccine "microchip" and there is no evidence to support claims that such a move is planned. Receiving a vaccine will not allow people to be tracked and personal information would not be entered into a database.

Myth: Big businesses are pushing vaccines to improve profits

Fact: The COVID-19 crisis has caused massive upheaval across the globe and no nation has been spared. A vaccine represents the best hope to save lives and to restore our way of life, many governments have therefore entered into direct talks with vaccine makers to ensure a timeous supply of vaccines.

Myth: Government is complicit with big businesses in pushing vaccines despite the risks

Fact: Government is committed to saving lives and livelihoods. The fastest way to return to our way of life is through ensuring that the majority of the population are protected from the virus. Vaccines are the simplest and most effective way to do this.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and have been studied in some of the largest and most comprehensive randomised clinical trials for any vaccines to date. As with any other medication, COVID-19 vaccines have been thoroughly studied for adverse effects and have undergone substantial independent scientific review before being made available to the public.

Despite this not always being clear when reported in the media, serious adverse effects from COVID-19 vaccines are very, very rare. All persons receiving the vaccinations are also screened before to ensure that we can prevent any adverse event. All vaccination centres administering COVID-19 vaccines are also equipped to deal any adverse effects in the very rare instances where they occur. The global consensus amongst recognised medical experts and organisations are that any risks associated to the vaccines are very small compared to the incredibly high risk posed by COVID-19.

Additional source: https://www.gov.za/covid-19/vaccine/myths

Written by CPUT News
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