You will undoubtedly have followed developments over the past few days related to the South African COVID-19 vaccine acquisition and rollout programme. Colleagues will be aware that we established the B4SA vaccine platform to provide up-to-date information on bilateral and multilateral engagements with government, hopefully enabling businesses to respond to the latest news.
The coronavirus is not going to simply disappear. We are at a critical juncture, one that may mean the difference between being badly impacted by a third wave or not. We need to be proactive – and get vaccinated.
The government’s Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) has been live since mid-April, and yet only 11% of those over 60 have registered. We need to make a concerted effort to ensure that more people register.
The rollout of Phase 2 on 17 May is greatly anticipated, but not without some trepidation, given the challenges we have faced, including a delay due to the possible contamination of some vaccines – fortunately not those in South Africa – and unresolved policy issues.
To make Phase 2 a success, those eligible – over 60 – must register on the government’s Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS).
Please use your businesses and corporate mailing lists, use community and sporting groups, and encourage others to step up the campaign to get over-60s to register.
The science behind this is solid. What we need now is an even greater effort to push the registration numbers up. Here is the link to the EVDS registration portal: https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za
We are determined that the rollout gets underway without further delay – the vaccines are available, and the vaccination sites are in place. The size and scale of the rollout will be massive, and we need to be prepared.
B4SA has assured the government that we shall do everything possible to facilitate and support its efforts.
Stay safe – register if you are over 60, and tell and help others to do the same.
Martin Kingston, Chairman, B4SA Steering Committee
The impact
As of 6 May, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases identified in South Africa is 1 590 370.
The total number of deaths stands at 54 620 and the total number of vaccines administered is 366 101.
REGISTER FOR
YOUR VACCINATION
https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za
REGISTRATION AND YOUR MEDICAL AID
Medical aids MUST communicate to their membership that they have to register on the EVDS platform. Registering on your medical aid portal is not enough. You must register on the EVDS portal above as well.
SUPPORT THE DRIVE TO REGISTER
Thanks to the Most Reverend Archbishop Thabo Makgoba for helping to get the message out:
* If you’re over 60, register today at https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/#/ – it’s free.
* If you are younger than 60, play your part: help everyone you know over 60 to register for their vaccine on EVDS.
Plus, a word of support from the President:
Bringing the entertainment and sporting federations on board
We have had positive engagements with the CEO of Big Concerts, who is kindly extending our appeal for more voices to encourage registrations to all of the sporting federations, in the hope that individual athletes and artists will spread the word.
Making material available for you to join this initiative
We have had a preliminary view of campaign toolkits prepared by Covid Comms/Solidarity Fund and GCIS, including specific messages to drive registration among the over 60s. B4SA aims to make some of this material available to members so that you will be able to apply your branding and distribute these to support the drive for registrations. Please keep an eye out for further updates in this regard.
Phase 2: The national vaccination programme starts with the over-60s
Data shows that the elderly have the highest risk of hospitalisation and mortality, which is why the vaccination programme is targeting the elderly to get them vaccinated by winter. This is the single most important positive action by South Africa in our 14-month fight against Covid-19.
We have secured sufficient doses to vaccinate the entire eligible population and we are setting up thousands of public and privately operated vaccination sites across the country. This is the start of a massive national effort to accelerate the vaccination programme that will save lives, reduce hospitalisations, and set us on a path to rebuild livelihoods and restore the economy. To succeed, we need the support of business, government, social partners and citizens.
On Friday, 7 May, Business for South Africa (B4SA) and the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) briefed the media and public on the current status of Phase 2 of the vaccination programme and outlined critical practical aspects related to the rollout.
The recording of this briefing and accompanying presentations will be made available in the coming week.
NATIONAL VACCINATION INFORMATION: EMPLOYER SITES FACT SHEET
The pandemic is a national challenge, not simply a challenge for the government. It is in all of our interests – business, other social partners and individuals – to do all we can to facilitate a successful and efficient vaccination programme. B4SA has created a specific operationalisation workstream responsible for vaccinations across the private sector. The link is below.
The link to Vaccination Information on Employer Sites covers issues such as:
- How companies can establish vaccination sites on their business premises for employees and others.
- Registering a primary workplace vaccination site.
- Running a workplace vaccination site.
There are links within the document providing details for the above.
B4SA is committed to assisting the NDOH with a successful national vaccination rollout. As new information emerges, B4SA will keep its stakeholders informed. The B4SA lead for workplace vaccination sites is Lungi Nyathi [email protected] and she can help guide you on your journey of vaccinating your employees. Please note that B4SA cannot register your employees or your workplace sites for you.
Once you decide to establish one or more workplace vaccination sites, please detail them in this spreadsheet: https://www.businessforsa.org/workplace-vaccination-sites/
B4SA employer vaccination sites fact sheet
More than 3 000 vaccination sites have been registered
NdoH definition of Healthcare Worker beneficiaries for Phase 1B vaccinations
Vaccinating all healthcare workers remains a national priority. As part of the Phase 1 rollout, registration is now open for all Phase 1B beneficiaries, including all OUT OF HOSPITAL (OOH) healthcare worker staff. It is vital you register and schedule yourself, and your employees, for vaccination as a matter of urgency.
The steps to follow for registration are below.
Steps to vaccination registration in Phase 1B: — Note: this is specifically for private sector HCWs.
Step 1: Register on the EVDS system: https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za
Step 2: Health care providers register all staff on V4HCW portal: http://staff.v4hcw.co.za
Step 3: Health care worker self-registration. http://register.v4hcw.co.za
Step 4: Book your appointment: http://bookings.v4hcw.co.za
For assistance on the V4HCW platform, join on Telegram:
https://t.me/joinchat/STW8UWalGlxkYjM0
For more Information on the vaccines:
https://v4hcw.beepdsmart.com/card/v4hcw-zaf-directory
A final request from B4SA:
The public looks to healthcare workers for guidance. Please encourage all those over 60 years to register on the EVDS, and where necessary, assist them with the process.
Articles of interest
- NICD modelling on wave 3: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2021-05-03-third-covid-19-wave-full-of-unknowns-but-more-than-70000-could-die/
- J&J delays could mean a delay to the 17 May kick-off off: https://businesstech.co.za/news/trending/487635/south-africa-could-miss-17-may-vaccine-deadline-due-to-jj-delay/
- Employee who went to work, knowing he tested positive, dismissed: https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/man-who-knew-he-had-covid-19-but-kept-going-to-work-was-rightfully-dismissed-says-court-20210504
- Pharma Dynamics’ research on weight gain during the pandemic: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2021-05-04-half-of-south-africans-gained-weight-as-they-stress-ate-through-all-the-covid-19-bad-news/
- EU vaccination programme gathers speed: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/03/eu-plans-to-reopen-to-fully-covid-vaccinated-foreign-tourists-from-june
Singapore Fights Vaccine Hesitancy and Debunks Rumors – The New York Times
MRC on excess deaths in SA (150 000): https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-05-03-covid-19-in-south-africa-150000-excess-deaths-in-one-year/
US goal of vaccinating 70% of population by 4 July: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/04/us-coronavirus-vaccine-biden-goal-teenagers
UK deaths are decreasing (only 1 on Monday, 4 on Tuesday): https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/04/uk-nears-zero-covid-deaths-good-reason-for-optimism
GCIS Statement: SA monitoring COVID-19 spread
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES ON COVID-19
All official government regulations and guidelines are available at https://www.gov.za/coronavirus/guidelines
OFFICIAL RESOURCES:
NICD website: http://www.nicd.ac.za
COVID-19 information website: https://sacoronavirus.co.za
Coronavirus 24-hour Hotline: 0800 029 999
Coronavirus WhatsApp: 060 012 3456
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
www.gov.za
www.facebook.com/GovernmentZA
twitter.com/GovernmentZA
www.youtube.com/user/GovernmentZA
sacoronavirus.co.za
sacoronavirus.co.za/tag/vaccine-toolkits/
twitter.com/COVID_19_ZA
twitter.com/DrZweliMkhize
