The programme consists of 87 Pfizer vaccine vaccination sites across the country, with 83 of these in the public sector and the other four in the private sector.
The phase two vaccination programme was launched on May 16 and is targeting persons who are 60 years old and above.
Phase two is running concurrently with phase one B, which targets the remaining healthcare workers.
Over (00000 – Fanie will fix later) have been vaccinated since the second phase kicked off on Monday.
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Here’s how you can register on the Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS):
The vaccine registration is open to people with a South African ID number, passport number, Asylum Seeker Permit number and Refugee Permit number.
You can choose from the following ways to register:
• Online at www.vaccine.enroll.gov.za
• Using the WhatsApp line 0600 123456
• By SMS – dial *134*832#
• Call the Covid-19 hotline 0800 029 999
When you go to be vaccinated, you must take proof of ID, such as your ID card or book, driver’s licence or passport.
People who belong to a medical aid scheme should also take their medical aid card or other details.
After successful registration, you will 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.
Don’t miss your appointment
If you miss your vaccine appointment for any reason, your appointment will be rescheduled. If you miss three appointments, you will not be rescheduled again. However, you will still be on the system and can ask to be scheduled again by phoning the Covid-19 hotline or visiting a registration site.
Assisting citizens with registration
According to the City of Ekurhuleni, those struggling to register their details on the portal can seek help at their nearest clinics and customer care centres, as well as the post office.
Teams of health workers from Ward-Based Outreach Programme and Community Support Programme are also being sent out to assist citizens, the elderly, disabled and homeless people, in particular, to be registered.
They visit the homes, mainly in townships.
The elderly in old age homes and retirement villages are also assisted by staff members to register.
The teams are also involved in door-to-door campaigns designed to encourage people to be vaccinated.
Professional nurses also do campaigns on radio stations such as Voice of Thembisa, Kassie FM and EK FM.
Ekurhuleni vaccination sites
South Sub-District Region: Bertha Gxowa Hospital at Kobie Muller Hall and J Dumane Hall
Eastern Sub-District Region: Daveyton Main Community Day Care Centre, Nokuthela Ngwenya Community Health
Care Centre and Zanele Mbeki Old Age Home
Northern Sub-District Region: Esangweni Community Health Care Centre and Kempton Park Civic Hall.
The operating hours are 8am – 4pm Monday to Friday.
Minister Mkhize on phase two of SA’s Covid-19 vaccine roll-out
According to the Department of Health, the phase two launch came after the end of the first phase (Sisonke Programme), which saw the vaccination of a total of 478 733 South Africans after the country received a total of 500 000 doses.
Another 325 260 doses of Pfizer arrived hours after the phase two launch, bringing the total Pfizer doses in the country to 975 780 by Monday morning.
“Five million senior citizens are targeted to be completed by the end of June, provided the supply of vaccines flow as anticipated.
“By the end of June, we expect to have received 4.5 million doses of Pfizer and, two million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine once released. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is still awaiting release from the Food and Drug Administration of America. We are constantly being updated by the Johnson & Johnson global head office on progress in this regard. We hope to get finality this week,” explained health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize.
The minister stated that provinces, NDOH and GCIS core teams are conducting robust registration drives, and they are seeing the numbers going up because of these initiatives.
The minister pointed out that by May 16, over 2.1 million citizens had registered on EVDS, consisting of over 1.227 million senior citizens and over 914 000 healthcare workers.
“We recommend that as many people as possible register beforehand and follow the instructions they receive by SMS. The programme has been designed to avoid long queues,” said Mkhize.
Elderly will be vaccinated in their care centres
Citizens living in old age homes are not receiving an SMS because the vaccine is being brought to them. They are registered and vaccinated in their old age homes. The department is targeting about 7 700 senior citizens in 102 old age homes by the end of the week, and 50 000 citizens documented in old age homes will be completed by the end of May.
Slow start
“Fellow citizens, you will notice the numbers will start fairly slowly for the week then ramp up towards the end of the month. This is because we are starting with a new vaccine we have never used before.
“We have learned from Sisonke that the first few days start slowly as vaccinators get used to the new vaccine. Once operators are comfortable the turnover ramps up significantly. This is what we have planned around to allow us a few days to iron out any teething problems,” said the minister.
No option to pick which vaccine you receive
According to the minister, at this stage, you cannot choose the vaccine. However, when you are vaccinated you will be informed which vaccine you are receiving and if a second dose is needed.
You will receive the date, time and place of your second dose by SMS or a card will be issued to you on the day of vaccination if you do not have a phone. Most people will get their first and second doses at the same site.
Vaccines are safe and work well
“The Pfizer vaccines are safe and work well, even against the variant that is dominant in this country. After 14 days, one starts to show markers of immunity. There is now very good literature to show that the interval between doses can be increased to six weeks, and in the UK they showed good results after three months. We are getting advice from our experts who will guide us on the best interval – citizens must present on the date they are given for the second dose.”
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Protection and possible side effects
The department has observed that many people have mild symptoms after vaccination.
These include flu-like symptoms like mild fever, headache and tiredness, as well as redness, swelling and pain at the injection site. The minister pointed out these symptoms generally disappear within one to two days and can be managed at home with rest and paracetamol.
The department, however, encourages people who have more serious symptoms, such as severe headache, severe abdominal pain or severe limb pain, to phone the Covid-19 hotline (0800 029 999) for advice or seek care at your local clinic or hospital.
“The vaccine will protect you from getting severe Covid disease or dying from Covid-19. However, no vaccine works 100 per cent, and we also still do not know whether vaccination prevents transmission of the virus. It is therefore still important to follow the standard Covid-19 safety precautions to protect yourself and those around you.”
After finishing your vaccination course, you will receive an SMS indicating you have been vaccinated, as well as a vaccination card. The department urges citizens to keep a record of their EVDS vaccination number.
“We are still not certain how long the protection from the vaccine will last. Doctors and scientists are working to understand this better and we will keep the public informed of these details.”
