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COVID-19 vaccinations open to people over the age of 18

20 August 2021 | Story Department of Communication and Marketing

Dear Student,

As from today (20 August 2021), all people 18 years and older are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Register on the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme registration portal to get the vaccine.

Individuals aged 18 and older can get vaccinated at sites across the country – including the Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein and retail stores such as Clicks and Dischem.

Remember, you can walk into any vaccination site to register and vaccinate.

Here is a list of registered vaccination sites closest to the University of the Free State campuses:

- Boikhuco Old Age Home – Bloemfontein (Mangaung)

- MUCPP Community Health Centre in Rocklands – Bloemfontein (Mangaung)x

- Pelonomi Hospital – Bloemfontein (Mangaung)

- Standard Bank Building – Bloemfontein (Mangaung)

- Universitas Academic Hospital – Bloemfontein (Mangaung)

- Botshabelo Hospital – Botshabelo (Mangaung)

- Seemahale Secondary School – Botshabelo (Mangaung)

- Dr JS Moroka Hospital – Thaba Nchu (Mangaung)

- Dihlabeng Regional Hospital – Bethlehem, Dihlabeng (Thabo Mofutsanyana)

- Thabo Thokoza Secondary School – Dihlabeng (Thabo Mofutsanyana)

- Thekolohelong Old Age Home – Maluti-A-Phofung (Thabo Mofutsanyana)

- Senorita Nthlabathi District Hospital – Mantsopa (Thabo Mofutsanyana)

- Nketoana District Hospital – Nketoana (Thabo Mofutsanyana)

- Phumelela District Hospital – Phumelela (Thabo Mofutsanyana)

Vaccines are an important part of stopping the spread of COVID-19. Vaccines reduce the risk of getting a disease by working with your body to build protection.

Need more information on vaccines? Read our COVID-19 Vaccine Information booklet here.

Visit the UFS COVID-19 webpage for updated information.

News Archive

Little ‘Devil’s Worm’ on Top 10 New Species list

2012-05-29

Halicephalobus mephisto (Devil’s Worm)
Photo: Supplied
29 May 2012

A minuscule little worm found and researched with the assistance of researchers at the university has made it onto the list of Top 10 New Species of the world. The list was published by the International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE) at Arizona State University and a committee of scientists from around the world. It lists the top ten new species described in 2011.

An article on the new worm species appeared in the authoritative journal Nature in June 2011.

Prof. Esta van Heerden, leader of the university’s research team, says, “In our wildest dreams, we could not have imagined that we would get so much reaction from the worm’s discovery. We had to do so many checks and balances to convince Nature that the worm could survive in the old and warm water. We were very excited when the article was accepted but the media reaction was unbelievable.”

The tiny nematode, Halicephalobus mephisto (Devil’s Worm) of about 0,5 mm in length, is the deepest-living terrestrial multi-cellular organism on earth. It was discovered in the Beatrix gold mine near Welkom at a depth of 1,3 km.

The IISE says in a statement the species is remarkable for surviving immense underground pressure as well as high temperatures. The borehole water where this species lives has not been in contact with the earth’s atmosphere for the last 4 000 to 6 000 years.

This top-10 list includes a sneezing monkey; a beautiful, but venomous jellyfish; a fungus named after a popular TV cartoon character; a night-blooming orchid; an ancient walking cactus creature; and a tiny wasp. A vibrant poppy, a giant millipede and a blue tarantula also made it onto the list.

The international selection committee made its choice from more than 200 nominations. They looked for species that captured the attention because they were unusual or because they had bizarre traits. Some of the new species have interesting names.

Prof. Van Heerden says, “We are very thankful for the exposure that the university gets as a result of the inclusion on the list and we enjoy the international cooperation immensely.”

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