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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