Over-60s invited for jab
REGISTER ONLINE: ALL CITIZENS WILL GET INOCULATED IN DUE COURSE
System will assign vaccination site closest to home or workplace – minister.
Government has officially launched Covid-19 vaccine online registration for the public as the department of health gears up for phase two of the country’s vaccine roll-out.
According to Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, the electronic vaccination data system is now available to the general public, and all citizens aged 60 years and above are invited to register for vaccination.
“This launch marks a significant milestone, not only for our vaccination campaign but for South Africa’s advancement towards universal health coverage,” he said yesterday.
The minister said this was the first time in the history of democratic SA that a major public health campaign would be supported by one digital system for all South Africans.
“The president, myself, hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers and now you, the citizens of South Africa, have or will all access the vaccines through the same process, by using this system.”
Mkhize said that there would be no distinction made between private and state healthcare users, except that private healthcare users would need to share their medical aid details.
“The quality of services will be the same for all of us and the system will assign a vaccination site closest to our homes, or where we work, and not based on whether a particular site is a public or private facility.”
He said citizens must have their identity books and medical aid card and ensure they enter the correct cellphone number and residential address.
However, the registration does not guarantee one will be vaccinated immediately.
“We will use the information you provide when you register to communicate with you about the vaccination programme when necessary.”
How to register
1. You will need a smartphone, a tablet or a computer and internet access.
2. Go to vaccine.enroll.health.gov. za. The welcome screen will guide you through the steps.
3. Follow the instructions and put in all the details the system asks for.
5. When you are finished, the system will send an SMS to the phone number you provided. This means that the system now has your details in a queue to be scheduled for your vaccine.
6. You will then receive an SMS with a date and the place where you will be vaccinated. You will be sent to the vaccination centre that is closest to your home. Some of you may be directed to your
place of work.
7. If you have problems you may contact the Covid-19 hotline at 0800-029-999.
8. Citizens will be provided with a proof of vaccination card and receive a confirmation SMS on their phone.
Mkhize said the department would use the smartphones and petrol donated by various companies and organisations to send teams out to help vulnerable citizens who do not have access to digital technology.
This includes the elderly, the homeless and those who live in the deep rural areas that are difficult to reach.
“We will ensure that these team members are easy to identify and that you can verify that they are indeed accredited outreach team members.”
They will also be trained to educate and raise awareness on vaccination
in the community.
Government will soon announce a WhatsApp service to assist in this process.
“If you are unable to register by these methods, you may simply go to the nearest vaccination centre and we will register you on the spot.
“If you are 60 years or above we will also vaccinate you at the same time.” According to Mkhize, this was only because government wanted to prioritise those who are most at risk of getting sick or dying of Covid-19.
He has urged those who are technological savvy to assist senior citizens to register.
“Please help your mother, your father, your grandmother, your grandfather or your friend who is 60 years or older to register so they can get vaccinated.”
Now you, the citizens of SA, will all access vaccines