WeeklySA_AdminCONVENIENCE: Student accommodation company arranges for pupils to receive jab at own living quarters
By Thuli Zungu
Times are changing and so are the lives of students staying in Respublica student living campus. – they are getting Covid-19 jabs in bed.
Bronwyn Boavida, managing director at Respublica Student Living says more than 8,000 students living at the Respublica Student Living’s 10 residences across South Africa won’t have to leave their accommodation to get vaccinated against COVID-19 – because Respublica is bringing the vaccines to their doorstep.
Boavida says they initiated the programme after conducting a survey among its students and employees, with the overwhelming response being welcoming and supportive. The programme commenced on 6 September. Clinical staff will return to all the residences to administer the 2nd shot of the vaccine after 42 days of the first vaccine.
As of Wednesday this week, 300 students were vaccinated, says Boavida. The private student accommodation provider partnered with Medicare to set up vaccination clinics at each of its residences to offer strictly controlled and carefully administered Pfizer vaccinations to all interested students and staff over the age of 18.
This is in support of the Government’s vaccination programme. “We’ve seen how high vaccination rates in countries like the United Kingdom have made it possible for people to socialise, and enjoy mass sporting, and cultural events,” Bavida says.
They would love their students and every person in South Africa to enjoy that kind of normality again. She says it is important that the matric class of 2021 be vaccinated as soon as they are 18, in preparation for the journey to the university campus of their choice.
“Being vaccinated against COVID-19 is certainly not a condition of admission to any university or to any Respublica residence but to protect each student, their family and friends, as well as the staff that supports it.
‘’It’s clear that COVID-19 is here to stay, but if we all take proactive steps to protect ourselves, we protect our community – and we can all enjoy the benefit of the truly universal experience of life in tertiary education, Boavida says.
“Having as much of our population vaccinated as possible is the only way that will enable our students to return to normality, and to enjoy the full experience of life on campus and in res.”
Boavia says this is the country’s first such initiative. “Ensuring a safe and harmonious environment is a priority in our all-inclusive student lifestyle.”
