The COVID-19 pandemic transformed the world in unimaginable ways, and one of the key steps in South Africa’s response was the rollout of the vaccine registration system.
In this article, we’ll unpack everything you need to know about vaccine registration in South Africa — how it worked, what challenges arose, and what outcomes it achieved.
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What Was Vaccine Registration in South Africa?
When COVID-19 vaccines became available, the South African government needed a way to distribute them fairly and efficiently. To do this, they introduced the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS).
The EVDS was a national digital platform that allowed South Africans to register for their COVID-19 vaccinations, book appointments, and later, access their digital vaccination certificates.
It played a central role in organizing the mass vaccination effort across the country.
How the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) Worked
The Main Goals of the EVDS
The EVDS was designed to:
- Register individuals eligible for vaccination.
- Schedule appointments at nearby vaccination sites.
- Track vaccination progress across the population.
- Issue digital vaccination certificates after full vaccination.
By gathering all vaccination data in one place, the EVDS helped the government monitor who had been vaccinated and plan the ongoing rollout.
How People Registered
People could register for the vaccine using several convenient methods:
- Online: Through the official EVDS website.
- WhatsApp: By sending the word “REGISTER” to the COVID-19 WhatsApp number (0600 123 456).
- SMS: For those with limited internet access.
During registration, people were required to enter basic information such as:
- South African ID or passport number.
- Contact details like a phone number and email address.
- Residential address and preferred vaccination site.
Once registered, individuals received an SMS confirming their registration and, later, their appointment details.
The Phased Rollout of Vaccine Registration
To ensure an orderly process and prioritize those most at risk, South Africa introduced the vaccine registration and rollout in several phases:
Phase 1: Healthcare Workers
Frontline healthcare workers were the first to be eligible for vaccination, starting early in 2021.
Phase 2: Elderly and Essential Workers
Registration opened up for:
- People aged 60 years and older (April 2021).
- People aged 50 years and older (July 2021).
- People aged 35 years and older (August 2021).
- People aged 18 years and older (later in August 2021).
- Adolescents 12–17 years old (October 2021).
This phased approach helped manage vaccine demand and prioritized vulnerable groups first.
Challenges Faced During Vaccine Registration
Although the EVDS system was innovative and crucial, it wasn’t without issues.
Technical Glitches
Many users experienced:
- Website crashes due to high traffic.
- Slow load times during peak registration periods.
- Data errors, causing appointment delays or missing records.
Accessibility Barriers
Certain populations, particularly in rural or under-resourced areas, faced difficulties:
- Limited internet access made it hard to register online.
- Low digital literacy meant some people didn’t know how to use the system.
- Language barriers slowed down registration, as most communication was in English.
Vaccine Hesitancy
In some communities, skepticism about vaccine safety slowed registration and vaccine uptake, despite government campaigns promoting the benefits of vaccination.
Introduction of the Digital Vaccination Certificate
As vaccination rates increased, South Africa launched a Digital COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate in October 2021.
The certificate allowed fully vaccinated individuals to easily prove their vaccination status — useful for travel, work, and attending events.
How to Get the Vaccination Certificate
People could obtain their certificates by:
- Going to vaccine.certificate.health.gov.za.
- Entering their ID or passport number and the cellphone number used for EVDS registration.
- Providing the Proof of Vaccination Code received via SMS after getting vaccinated.
- Receiving and downloading their certificate, complete with a QR code for easy verification.
It was important to download updated versions of the certificate regularly, especially as security features were enhanced over time.
Results and Impact of Vaccine Registration
Despite its hurdles, the vaccine registration system had a major positive impact on South Africa’s COVID-19 response.
Widespread Vaccination Coverage
By the end of 2021, millions of South Africans had registered through the EVDS and received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
This helped reduce severe illness and hospitalizations during later waves of the virus.
Organized Data Management
The EVDS provided real-time data on vaccine distribution, uptake rates, and demographic coverage — essential for public health planning.
International Travel and Recognition
The introduction of the digital vaccination certificate enabled many South Africans to travel internationally, as the certificate was accepted by several countries around the world.
FAQs About Vaccine Registration in South Africa
Q1: Who could register for a COVID-19 vaccination?
A1: All South African citizens and eligible residents aged 12 and above could register, starting with the oldest age groups first.
Q2: Was vaccine registration mandatory?
A2: No, it was voluntary, but strongly encouraged to ensure protection against COVID-19.
Q3: What should I do if I lost my Proof of Vaccination SMS?
A3: You could request assistance by calling the COVID-19 Public Hotline at 0800 029 999.
Q4: Is the Digital COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate free?
A4: Yes, both the registration process and the vaccination certificate were free.
Q5: What if I made a mistake during registration?
A5: Mistakes could be corrected by contacting the EVDS support line or visiting a vaccination center for assistance.
Conclusion On Vaccine Registration
South Africa’s vaccine registration system was a landmark achievement in the fight against COVID-19.
By introducing the EVDS and digital certificates, the government was able to manage a large-scale vaccination campaign, track progress, and provide proof of vaccination when needed.
While technical and accessibility challenges existed, the system ultimately helped save lives and protect communities across the country.
The experience also showcased the importance of investing in digital public health infrastructure for future emergencies.
If you need help downloading your COVID-19 vaccination certificate, visit the official guide from the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
