Government has launched the platform that allows everyone in South Africa to register for a vaccine.

While only frontline healthcare workers will be allowed to currently get a vaccine, the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) allows everyone in the country – both residents and non-residents – to register for their jabs, in anticipation of future phases of vaccination.

The general public is only expected to receive vaccine shots in phase

The online EVDS platform, which works on both smartphones and desktop browsers, will assist government in tracking its supply chain, and in allocating appointment slots to registered users.

The EVDS will record all details on every dose administered.

The system also allows you to pre-book vaccination appointments according to your nearest and most convenient healthcare facility.

South Africa’s first jabs are due to be administered to frontline healthcare workers from the middle of February, with phase two of the programme – targeting essential employees, the elderly and those with comorbidities – expected to begin in May.

The national department of health, as sole administrators of the EVDS, note that vaccination and enrolment on the system is voluntary.

The platform’s terms and conditions note that “enrolment is not a guarantee of vaccination”.