South Africa to use online platform for COVID-19 vaccination

According to a report, South Africa’s Department of Health Chief Operating Officer Milani Wolmarans said that the government will use an electronic system to track citizens’ COVID-19 vaccination statuses. The Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS) will allow the department to capture all relevant data associated with the administration of vaccines. The official explained that the EVDS is built with an enterprise architecture that complies with national and international security standards. The department will start enrolling healthcare workers for vaccination via an online app, as the country expects to receive the first consignment of COVID-19 vaccines on 1 February, 2021. Once enrolled, the healthcare worker will receive a SMS with a vaccination code, which they will show to the vaccinator to confirm they are eligible to receive the vaccine and confirm consent. Also, they will receive another SMS on when to come back for the second jab after which they will receive a vaccination certification.