South Africa Launches Digital Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate

South Africans can now download their digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate following the official launch by the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla.

Addressing a media briefing on government’s efforts in the fight against COVID-19 and the national vaccination rollout programme on Friday, the Minister said the certificate could be used for travel and tourism, sport and recreation events, music festivals, shops that are providing discounts and prizes for people who are vaccinated. It was developed by the Department of Health and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

“Our role is to make this tool available to the nation to provide people with the proof of vaccination so they can have access to many of the amenities and activities that some have been missing…

“The vaccination certificate was introduced over the last three days while it was in the testing phase but some people have been able to upload it to their cell phones.”

The Minister said this is just the first phase of the certificate and there will be further improvements over the following two months with regards to “the safety and security of the certificate”. But it is ready for use, he said.

How to download your digital covid-19 vaccination certificate in South Africa

• Anyone who has received the COVID-19 vaccine in SA can download the certificate though the web portal.
• You will need your:
  • vaccination code from the sms you received after your vaccination (see more info below)
  • South African ID or Foreign Passport number or Asylum or Refugee number. This should be the same document that you presented when you got vaccinated and the cell phone you included on your registration.
• You can find the digital vaccination certificate HERE.

Over the next four days, the vaccination codes will be sent via SMS. The code can also be accessed from the COVID-19 call centre on 0800 029 999. The code will be sent via sms.

Will other countries recognise South Africa’s digital certificate?

Most countries around the globe would accept the certificate. It is, however, dependent on the policy of the country that you would be visiting and also what their verification requirements would be, according to National Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) project manager, Milani Wolmarans.

“Towards the end of the next two months, there will be an app that you can use to download the certificate,” Wolmarans said.

Dr Phaahla confirmed that the UK – which yesterday announced that South Africa is getting removed from its Red List on Monday – “will be recognising the certificate that we are launching”.

– SAnews.gov.za