South Africa’s vaccine rollout strategy has been questionable up until now, but it’s finally opened online registrations for Phase 2’s humans to gain access to their doses. Phase 2 is open to all South Africans over the age of 60, and while the platform is live (we thought it’s been live since Phase 1), official registrations will only be captured from 16:00 on Friday 16 April.
To help administrate the COVID-19 vaccine distribution process, the South African government has announced the Electronic Vaccine Data System (or EVDS) — a digital platform where citizens can sign up to get their COVID-19 jabs.
How to sign up for the vaccine
Developed by the Department of Health, the platform plays an integral part in ensuring vaccinations are allocated correctly. The strategy is questionable when it comes to older folks, and of course South Africans in rural communities that lack network infrastructure and digital know-how to register on an online portal.
Nevertheless, the EVDS portal is live, but registrations from 16:00 onward today will be captured and confirmed. People over the age of 60 who are keen on getting the COVID-19 vaccine will have to register using their government-issued ID and proof of residence. This will be used to allocate a vaccination site closest to people’s houses.
According to the Department of Health’s chief director Dr Lesley Bamford, only people who registered on the system will be vaccinated and people without internet access will be provided assistance to sign up in some way. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize details a walk-in service where people will be helped to register through the platform. Where these will be stationed isn’t clear yet. “Those unable to self-register can visit walk-in centres and vaccination sites,” says Mkhize.