Remember the Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS)? The online government platform was rolled out in 2020 which aimed to help manage public vaccinations against COVID-19. Initially, it just collected data and sent out notifications of vaccine appointments, but now users can book a date and site that suits them.
Vaccine Walk-in
Department of Health announced that as of the 1st of September 2021 its digital platform will now allow South Africans to register for the vaccine, book a date and choose a vaccination site.
As of today, 01 September 2021, the Electronic Vaccination Data System #EVDS will allow the public to book their own appointment date, vaccination site and time #VaccineRolloutSA pic.twitter.com/KedgrNvEPG
— Department of Health (@HealthZA) September 1, 2021
Before this, users complained of the system notifying them of vaccination appointments last-minute, and even sending them to sites far from their homes and places of work. Some reported getting a notification the evening before the day of the appointment when they were assigned by the department.
The system is linked to the government’s supply chain management system, which meant the system would do the honours for you. Many have found the system lacking, and most public vaccination sites have started allowing ‘walk-ins’ for any registered person to come in and get the jab.
Just as with the previous process, users will need a South African identification number (ID, Non-RSA passport, or asylum seeker/refugee number), access to the cellphone number they used to register (for OTP verification) and knowledge of your preferred vaccination site. Easy as that.