Covid-19 Update 78: Implementation of Wits Mandatory Vaccination Policy
- Wits MVAX Operations Committee
Wits University adopted a Mandatory Vaccination Policy (Mvax Policy), which will be implemented from 1 January 2022.
This communication serves to provide operational information on the Wits’ Mandatory Vaccination Policy (MVax Policy) which came into effect from 1 January 2022. The Policy seeks to enable the return of employees and students to the University’s precincts whilst protecting the health and safety of our community, and all who work, live, learn, and/or participate in activities on campus.
Get vaccinated or apply for reasonable accommodation
The Policy states that all members of the Wits community are required to vaccinate against COVID-19 in order to access Wits’ premises, aside from those who have been granted reasonable accommodation. Most members of the University Community have until 1 March 2022 to get vaccinated or be granted reasonable accommodation. Please note however, that in terms of the MVax Policy, students will not be provided with housing in any University-owned or managed residences if they are not vaccinated. All students who have applied to Wits residences must therefore be vaccinated before they will be granted housing accommodation in Wits residences. The reasonable accommodation process does not apply to this cohort of students. In addition and given that they start earlier than other cohorts of students, first-year students in the Gateway to Success Programme will need to show proof of vaccination or be granted reasonable accommodation before 5 February 2022.
Read more about the implementation of the MVax Policy via the Wits Vaccine Implementation Portal.
How it works – Staff and Students upload your Vaccine Certificate
Step 1: Get vaccinated at any vaccination site nationally or visit the Wits Vaccination and Testing Site in the Wits Sports Hall on the Braamfontein Campus (opens 1 Feb 2022).
Step 2: Download your Vaccine Certificate from government’s Vaccine Certificate System website.
Step 3: Upload your Vaccine Certificate with its QR Code to the Wits Vaccine Implementation Portal from 20 January 2022. Log in with your student/staff number and Wits password.
Step 4: Once verified, you will receive confirmation via email. Your access card will be activated to enter Wits’ precincts, campuses, buildings and buses because you have been vaccinated.
Please note: You can gain access to campus if you have received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine or one shot of the Pfizer vaccine, but you will need to upload the certificate for your Pfizer second shot within 90 days to continue to have access to campus. Persons will also need to get a booster shot as and when recommended by the national Department of Health and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases.
OR
Apply for Reasonable Accommodation
Wits staff and students may apply for reasonable accommodation (on medical or Constitutional grounds) from 25 January 2022. Log in with your student/staff number and Wits password.
Wits' Vaccination and Testing Site
Wits will host a Vaccination and Testing Site in the Wits Sports Hall on the Braamfontein Campus from 1 February 2022, which will offer access to vaccines and boosters, and provide antigen testing on-site. Students and staff who cannot afford it may qualify for free antigen testing when they apply for reasonable accommodation.
How does the MVAX Policy affect you?
Students
Students are required to vaccinate or apply for and be granted reasonable accommodation before 1 March 2022.
Students in Wits Residences
All students who apply to live in Wits residences will need to be vaccinated due to the close living configuration, level of occupancy and associated risks in residences. Only students with proof of vaccination will be able to apply for and live in Wits residences as per the MVax Policy. No exceptions will be made.
Staff
Employees are required to vaccinate or apply for and be granted reasonable accommodation before 1 March 2022. Staff cannot refuse to return to work on the basis of not having been vaccinated.
Service providers and contractors
Personnel of service providers and contractors are required to be vaccinated by 1 March 2022 to access campus. No service provider will be allowed on campus without proof of identification and proof of vaccination. Contractors, suppliers and vendors can read more on the Wits Vaccine Implementation Portal.
Visitors
Visitors to Wits’ campuses will be required to show proof of identification and proof of vaccination by 1 March to enter Wits’ premises. Visitors read more on the Wits Vaccine Implementation Portal.
Covid-19 Campus Protocols
All persons entering the Wits campus are expected to follow the COVID-19 Protocols of 1M + 2V + 3Ss: Wear a face Mask, stay in Ventilated areas, Vaccinate, complete the COVID-19 Screening Tool, keep a Social Distance of 1.5m and Sanitise hands regularly.
Detailed information
You can read the MVax Policy and obtain detailed information about its implementation on the Wits Vaccine Implementation Portal and access other resources on the Wits COVID-19 Portal.