COVID-19: UAE schools, varsities offer vaccine at on-campus centres

Vaccines are being provided at several universities for faculty members, students, alumni and their families in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Specialised administrative workers are setting up medical teams to ensure that the inoculation drive runs smoothly at these new on-campus centres.

Dr Karim Seghir, Ajman University (AU) chancellor, said: “The launch of the vaccination centre is aligned with our commitment to harness our scientific research and logistical expertise to serve the community and to support the UAE’s determined efforts to combat Covid-19. We are proud that AU is the very first university in the UAE to provide free screening and vaccination services amid the current unprecedented circumstances in order to ensure the safety and health of the community and flatten the curve. All staff, students and alumni, including their parents, have been availing the vaccination facility being provided at our centre. We are looking forward to having our students back on campus soon.”

Schools and varsities in the country have intensified Covid-19 vaccination campaigns to be able to return to a normal campus life.

“BITS Pilani Dubai campus, in association with the Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap), carried out an on-campus vaccination drive on March 11 where the first dose of the jab was administered to the students, faculty, staff and their families. The response was very encouraging as people showed up in great numbers and adhered to all Covid protocols during the process. This is indeed a great step towards a safer and more secure environment.”

Some varsities are also taking their sister schools under the ambit, organising bus rides to and from each of the schools, to centres on the university campus, for the initiative.

Dr Vajahat Hussain, Amity Education ME CEO, opined: “We are all vaccinated. We held a vaccination drive on our campus of Amity University Dubai on January 24. We organised a healthcare provider to administer both doses of the vaccine, and PCR tests were also conducted to ensure that students and staff were Covid-free before taking the shot. The opportunity to take the vaccination was extended to students, staff and family members across Amity institutions in Dubai and Sharjah, including Amity School Dubai, Amity Early Learning Centre and Amity Private School Sharjah.”

He added: “This is what will help us achieve a sense of normalcy and create a safer environment for our youth. The UAE has the highest rate of vaccinations in the world and we did our bit. We are fortunate to live and work in a country that has made the vaccination process swift and easy for all its residents. Our staff, teachers and professors work closely and tirelessly with students of all ages. It is our duty to protect them and keep them safe.”

Meanwhile, other schools in Dubai are also urging parents to enroll their wards, mainly senior students, for the school’s vaccination slots.

Lalitha Suresh, Principal of GEMS Our Own Indian School, pointed out: “Our school will be registering students who are eligible, aged between 16-18 years of age for the Sinopharm vaccine. This is essentially meant for students of Grades 11 and 12. We have sent a circular in this direction to all parents concerned, for their approval. Later, the final dates for the same will be decided depending on the number of registrations we have. We are more than happy to organise this drive which is in line with the country’s efforts and we are eager to see our students back on campus, at the earliest.”