South Africa is rolling out its national COVID-19 vaccine programme, which aims to vaccinate 40 million South Africans. The programme entails procurement, distribution, vaccination, monitoring, communication and mobilisation. This COVID-19 vaccination messaging guidelines aim to assist communicators in the formulation of messages on the vaccine rollout and help address key questions stakeholders may be asking. The guidelines provide supporting content and resource links on the key areas for communication.
What is a COVID-19 vaccine?
A vaccine is intended to provide immunity against COVID-19. In general, vaccines contain weakened or inactive parts of a particular organism that triggers an immune response within the body. This weakened version will not cause the disease in the person receiving the vaccine, but it will prompt their immune system to respond. Some vaccines require multiple doses, given weeks or months apart. This is sometimes needed to allow for the production of long-lived antibodies and development of memory cells. In this way, the body is trained to fight the specific disease-causing organism, building up memory against the pathogen so it can fight it in the future.
What process is followed before a vaccine is given to the public?
Before COVID-19 vaccines can be delivered:
Residents aged 18 years and older can register for their Covid-19 vaccine
From Friday, 20 August 2021 people aged 18 years and older can register for the Covid-19 vaccine.
To Register:
- Visit https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/#/
- Dail *134*832# and follow the prompts;
- WhatsApp the word REGISTER to 0600 123456; or
- Visit your nearest Laingsburg Hospital and ask for assistance.
Vaccinations will be allocated in the Following order of priority:
Priority 1 – people 60 years and older requiring their 1st dose of Pfizer vaccine;
Priority 2 – people 60 years and older requiring their 2nd dose of Pfizer vaccine (approximately 42 days after their 1st dose);
Priority 3 – people aged 50 – 59 years requiring their 1st dose of Pfizer vaccine;
Priority 4 – people aged 35 – 49 years requiring their 1st dose of Pfizer vaccine.
We ask citizens eligible for vaccination to take up this opportunity to be vaccinated as the vaccine offers great protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19. Registrations for all citizen 35 years and older are open and we remind persons in these age groups to register for your vaccines. Citizens 60 years and older who have not registered, or have not received an appointment, are urged to please present to their closest public sector vaccination site for assisted registration and vaccination.
Last published 06 October 2021