Here are five methods that people can use to register for the COVID-19 vaccine in South Africa
1. The Electronic Vaccination Data System (Online Vaccine Registration Portal)
The EVDS is the original and most well-known digital method of enrolling for the vaccine and can be accessed by visiting https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/
The system requires you to sign up with your ID number or passport. During Phase 2, you can only access the registration if you are a healthcare worker or over 60 years of age.
The website will ask you to check boxes answering whether you fit into these categories. If you do not, it will ask you to register at a later date.
Currently the website is not 100% accessible to those with screen readers as not all buttons and controls are labelled appropriately.
2. How to register for the vaccine on WhatsApp
You can also sign up for the vaccine using the Department of Health’s WhatsApp helpline. This is the same helpline that provides updates on COVID-19 cases in the country.
To register using this method, you will need to add the WhatsApp helpline on the app. You can do this by texting “Hi” to 0600 123456 on WhatsApp.
Then, send the message “Register” to the helpline to begin the registration process.
3. The COVID-19 hotline
If you don’t want to use an online method to register for the vaccine, you can use the COVID-19 hotline.
To do this, you will need to phone 0800 029 999.
4. USSD code to register for the vaccine
Government has also introduced a USSD code that you can use to register for the vaccine.
To do this, dial *134*832# on your phone.
Then, follow the prompts.
Note: If you are blind or visually impaired, the system times out rather quickly thus, it is not ideal.
5. QR code for vaccine registration
Government is also launching a QR code that users can scan on their phone to register for the vaccine.
The QR code will be shared on the SA coronavirus website at https://sacoronavirus.co.za/ as well as on the Department of Health’s website at http://www.health.gov.za/.
At the time of writing, the QR code was not yet available, but set to launch soon. However, you should note this is different to the QR code to download the SA contact tracing app.