Vaccination information for students arriving or returning to UCT in 2022
In line with the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) vaccine mandate policy, as approved in-principle by the UCT Council, students who have not had the opportunity to receive vaccination are encouraged to join UCT’s drive to keep the rate and severity of COVID-19 infections down by getting vaccinated. This is because UCT has initiated a public consultation process on the matter of mandatory vaccination, and this will inform a final decision. If approved, the vaccination mandate will require all students to be vaccinated unless they meet exemption requirements. Students returning to campus residences in January 2022 will be required to provide an acceptable proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Vaccinate pre-arrival to UCT
Vaccinate at a centre near you: New and returning students who can be vaccinated at a vaccination centre close to their home area are encouraged to do as soon as they are able to. Search for a vaccination site in your area and register online on COVID-19 Vaccine Registration, the official South African COVID-19 Vaccination Programme registration portal.
Vaccinate in Cape Town: If you have only been able to have the first dose of a two-dose vaccine before arrival in Cape Town, you are encouraged to visit the UCT COVID-19 vaccination centre:
Vaccinate on arrival to Cape Town or UCT
Incoming students
Incoming UCT students who will arrive at UCT's First Year Campus Reception will be provided with transport to the vaccination site. This is after consultation with the COVID-19 response team on vaccination. A team of health professionals at the reception venue will also assist with information on vaccines and COVID-19 in general. Students will also be guided on how to use the university transport from campus or residences to the vaccination centre even after the First Year Reception activities.
Returning students
Returning UCT students who arrive in Cape Town for registration prior to vaccinating or having had only one dose of the vaccine administered are also encouraged to visit the UCT COVID-19 vaccination centre:
Walk-ins are allowed, but students are encouraged to register on the COVID-19 Vaccine Registration, the official South African COVID-19 Vaccination Programme registration portal.
The UCT Shuttle transport will be made available to take students to the site.
Vaccinate on arrival in UCT residence or off-campus accommodation
Students coming into UCT residences will be required to download their vaccination certificates and present them when signing into residences. In addition, your residence team will be able to assist further with the logistics of accessing the UCT vaccination centre if you have not had the opportunity to vaccinate prior to arrival. UCT has initiated a public consultation process on the matter of mandatory vaccination, and this will inform a final decision. If approved, the vaccination mandate will require all students to be vaccinated unless they meet exemption requirements. In terms of the proposed vaccination mandate, vaccinated students will be prioritised, and unvaccinated students may only be able to stay in a residence if they meet the exemption requirements.
Students living off-campus will need to come to campus and utilise the UCT Shuttle transport to the vaccination centre.
Further information and advice
- See our COVID-19 support page for on-campus support and further resources