The Department of Health (DoH) formally launched the first phase of the digital Covid-19 vaccination certificate on Friday, saying more improvements will be made in the coming months.

Vaccinated people will be able to enter their personal details on the system and generate their certificates, which will be used by various entities requiring to verify the certificate’s validity.

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla explained that the certificate system will be rolled out in phases with improvements being made to improve the safety and security of the certificate.

The certificate features a scannable QR code and can be used on a mobile device or can be printed.

The system, which produces a digital copy of the physical vaccine card, is linked to the vaccination code issued by the Electronic Vaccination Data System.

The digital certificate is expected to be a tool to enable vaccinated people to access many opportunities which various providers will be making available.

“Among others, we expect sports and recreation to open up more for vaccinated people, shops to provide discounts and others to give prizes. I have already seen some banks advertising prizes for people when they get vaccinated. Entertainment and music is also starting to open up,” he said.

The certificate was developed in a partnership with the DoH and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

Phaahla said he is aware that over the last three days, during the testing phase of the certificate, many people were able to generate their certificates.

He also mentioned that the UK has taken South Africa off its red list for travel between citizens of both countries.

“I am quite sure that many people who have been waiting for business trips, to visit family and friends, go on study in the UK will now know that they can do so without having to do a 10-day quarantine when arriving in London and other UK destinations,” Phaahla added.

Phaahla called on citizens to get vaccinated before the possible fourth wave expected later this year.

Over 13.3-million people have now taken the vaccine.

Vaccine certificates can be accessed here: https://vaccine.certificate.health.gov.za/