More than 34 000 healthcare workers register for COVID-19 vaccine as system goes live

The system currently only allows health worker’s to register but will be available to all residents and non-residents in the upcoming rollout phases.

Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize launched the platform on Wednesday morning, urging all frontline health workers to register as soon as possible.

“This system has been developed with a purpose to ensure we lay a digital health foundation. This will make sure that vaccination certificates are also obtained,” Mkhize said.

“We invite all clinical and non-clinical healthcare workers to self-register on the portal. This will include all public and private health workers. More than 34 000 healthcare workers are already registered. The system will then verify if the person is indeed a healthcare worker,” Mkhize added.

Chief Operating Officer (COO), Milani Wolmarans explained the process which takes just two minutes to complete in greater detail.

“You can register with either your ID or passport number. The next screen will collect general personal details, name, surname & the system will automatically calculate your date of birth,” Wolmarans said.

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“Your cellphone number is an important one because it is used to communicate with the healthcare worker. This is the only personal information communicated through the portal. The next is about employment and medical aid. Your data will be protected when you register for the vaccine,” Wolmarans added.

On Tuesday – the nation watched in anticipation as the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines touched down in Johannesburg from the Serum Institute of India.                                                  

The 1 million doses of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca jab are currently in a storage facility in Bloemfontein where they will be distributed from to the rest of the country in the coming days.

The department will now start enrolling healthcare workers for vaccination via an online app. They will then will receive a message with a scheduled appointment.

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Wolmarans said the health workers will also receive an SMS which will have a vaccination code, which they will show to the vaccinator to confirm they’re eligible to receive the vaccine and confirm consent.

“Also, healthcare professionals will then receive another SMS on when to come back for the second jab after which they will receive a vaccination certification. This is the whole process of EVDS in terms of supporting the vaccine administration,” Wolmarans said.