UCT considering mandatory vaccinations for staff, students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) could become South Africa’s first university to adopt a mandatory vaccination policy, should its senate approve it during a meeting on Friday.

The UCT on Tuesday confirmed that the proposal on vaccinations for staff and students would be debated by the senate. The motion was brought by Professor Linda-Gail Bekker.

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However, any final decision on the matter would have to be sanctioned by the university’s highest decision-making body, its council.

UCT said it had noted the surveys being run by the student representative council (SRC), as well as by the employee union for professional staff, on the proposal.

So far, more than 100 professors have endorsed the policy.

“These too are important constituencies in the decision-making process at the university and whose voice will be taken into consideration,” UCT said in a statement.

The institution said it would host an event under the topic “to vaccinate or not to vaccinate” on Thursday aimed at having open engagements with staff and students.

Compiled by Thapelo Lekabe