Thread by @miamalan

[THREAD] 1. Q&A: Digital #COVID19 vaccine card answers

Why has @heatlhza made the digital vaccine card website live if it isn't fully ready for use?

They have to test the functionality of the site in a live environment (run tests while the site is live).

2. Is the #COVID19 digital vaccination card site fully functional yet?

No, tests are still being run. The site will be fully functional on Friday morning, when SA’s digital vaccination cards will be officially launched.

3. If you’ve managed to download a #COVID19 digital vaccination card on Tu/We, is the card valid?

Yes, but not indefinitely. It will eventually be replaced with an updated version with more security measures (all cards will be replaced, not just the ones downloaded before Fri).

4. Why is there a note on the cards saying they're only valid until Jan 2022?

Because the cards will be replaced with updated versions (before the end of the year) so that they remain up-to-date with intl standards. You'll have to download a new version at a later stage.

5. Why will there be new versions of the digital #COVID19 vaccination cards?

Because security measures, such as QR codes and digital (cryptographic) signatures, will be gradually phased in. Each new version will be more secure than the previous version.

6. When will the new versions of the digital #COVID19 vaccination cards become available?

* Second version (a digital vaccine certificate): Likely end of Oct
* Third version (a digital vaccine passport): Likely end of Nov

Dates = if all goes according to plan

7. The digital vaccine website asks for an ID or passport number. Are foreign passport nrs, asylum seeking nrs and refugee nrs accepted?

YES, as long as it’s the same ID you used when you registered on the #EVDS, because the info on the card is linked to the info on the EVDS.

8. What is the vaccination code the site asks you to enter?

It’s the sms with a code that you received after your vaccination(s). You only need to enter one of the codes (if you got two shots) Take note: It's NOT the batch number(s) on your printed vaccination card.

9. What should you do if you lost the vaccination codes you were sent via sms?

You can phone the #COVID19 helpline, they will be able to retrieve the codes from the #EVDS and give it to you over the phone.

10. If you never received #COVID19 vaccination codes via sms, why did that happen? Two things could have happened:
1. The sms didn’t reach you because of cell phone network/#EVDS issues.
2. Your info was never entered into the EVDS.

11. How do you find out why you didn’t receive an sms with a vaccination code?

1. Phone the #COVID19 helpline + ask them to check if your info is in the EVDS
2. If it's not, go to the site where you got vaccinated with your paper card + ask them to enter your info.

12. What happens if you got 2 #Pfizer jabs, but one of the jabs’ codes on your digital card is different from the one you received via sms?

It doesn’t matter, as long as one of the codes on the card is the same as the sms codes - that way, your info will be linked to the #EVDS.

13. Can you use the digital #COVID19 vaccine cards that will be launched on Friday for international travel?

Yes, most countries should accept these, but it depends on the policy of the country. You need to present the card along with your passport.

14. Do our digital vaccine cards adhere to international standards?

There is no official international standard (not yet). But there are WHO guidelines, which SA is following.

15. What do the WHO’s guidelines say?

The gist:
1. The card needs to contain certain vaccine details (type of jab, date of jab, batch nr of the jab, your ID nr, name, etc).
2. It must be possible to verify the validity of the info.

WHO guidelines: bit.ly/3lhfHnk