Explainer: SA Planning for a Coronavirus Vaccine 'ID System'
- A recent report detailed how the state is allegedly in the process of developing an electronic vaccination data system
- This comes as South Africa prepares to roll-out Covid-19 vaccines nationwide
- The system will reportedly aim to aid in the management and surveillance of the vaccine
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The South African government is currently in the process of developing an electronic vaccination data system to aid in the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines in the country.
Source: Getty Images
The system reportedly aims to help both the management and surveillance of the vaccine including patient information, the details of vaccine administration sites.
In addition to this, there are plans to send reminders for a follow-up appointment to receive a second dose with an integrated track-and-trace system for defaulters.
BusinessTech reports that there are also plans for a dashboard system to capture the reasons given for vaccine refusal.
The Department of Health has commented that citizens that have been vaccinated will be recorded in a national register and provided with a vaccination card.
A form of identification and even proof of the shot is expected to become vital in the near future especially for those seeking to leave the country.
Major entities including Microsoft have already identified this as a challenge and established the Vaccination Credential Initiative which is working to enable those who have been vaccinated to access their records in a secure way.
This initiative intends to give people the ability to obtain a digital copy of their record to store in a digital wallet.
People who do not own smartphones will instead receive a paper with codes containing the credentials.
The accessibility of these records has been highlighted as vital to ensuring people can begin enjoying the relative freedom of movement amid the continuing pandemic.
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and his foundation have signalled their trust in the Covid-19 vaccine.
The 89-year-old vowed to be vaccinated against the virus as soon as possible in a statement released by the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation:
"Vaccines have eradicated terrible diseases, such as smallpox, and we are close to using it to make others, such as polio and measles, history. Yet many are scared or wary of this simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against infectious diseases before they even come into contact with it. There is nothing to fear."
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Source: Briefly News
