Here’s how to get your vaccine certificate

Obtaining a digital vaccination certificate is easy, some eager South Africans learnt last week when they accessed the vaccine certificate portal ahead of its official

launch.

The National Department of Health quietly rolled out its Covid-19 vaccine certificate system on October 5, just days after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced it would soon be available.

If you are fully vaccinated, you are eligible to receive a digital vaccine certificate containing a QR code. The code, which can either be downloaded or printed, is not meant for general public use, but will instead be used by specific entities, using a specialised QR scanner.

However, the Department of

Health asked South Africans to be patient as it prepared for the official launch of the system.

This appeal came after the department was overwhelmed by public and media enquiries regarding the problems faced when trying to download and access certificates.

Other people fared better, and were able to access their certificate without a glitch, ahead of the official launch.

Why is a vaccine certificate needed?

Back in September, Ramaphosa said South Africa’s approach to the vaccine certificate is ‘informed by the World Health Organisation and in line with international best practice’.

He said a vaccine certificate or passport will streamline and standardise proof of vaccination and will go a long way towards getting a number of international travel restrictions eased.

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla also previously said government was discussing compulsory Covid-19 vaccination for adults across the country, but later clarified that this was not a state priority.

Vaccine passports have already been introduced in other parts of the world. The European Union’s (EU) Digital Covid Certificate is available to all 27 members of the EU.

Meanwhile, the United States utilises digital health records stored on smartphones, while China implemented an international travel health certificate, and the UK has its own NHS Covid Pass.

Enquiries: https://sacoronavirus. co.za/