Partly True: The University of Cape Town Senate plans to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory from 2022.

By: Sunil Kumar
October 19 2021

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The University of Cape Town has proposed to mandate COVID-19 vaccines from 2022. Internal debates are ongoing while awaiting student body views.A mandatory vaccine survey was conducted by the University of Cape Town (UCT). Over 130 university professors and scholars suggested a mandatory vaccine proposal at the university, and it was tabled in the UCT Senate on September 13, 2021. The student council of the university published a statement about the survey and proposal. The statement said that every student from 2022 is required to be vaccinated. Similarly, all staff members would be required to provide for immunization as a condition of completing their duties. Mandating vaccinations in the university was debated by the student council and faculty; however, there was no conclusive answer. UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola confirmed in an eNCA interview that the university is looking at introducing a mandatory vaccination policy. On September 13, 2021, a senate meeting was set to examine the idea. "It is likely that the Senate will hold a full debate on this complicated issue," he said. Usually, any final decision on a topic of university policy must be made by the university council. "The Senate's position on vaccinations, as well as the views of staff and student representatives, will be presented to the UCT council," he said. Further, he added that if the plan is put forward, the council, as the university's highest decision-making body, will make the final decision, saying it will carefully evaluate the proposal before making a judgment. Although UCT has plans to make COVID-19 immunization mandatory for employees and students from 2022, the final decision will have to be made by the university council.