July 6, 13:00

POLOKWANE – The Health Department’s deputy director-general of the National Health Insurance, Dr Nicholas Crisp, has withdrawn the circular which was sent out on Monday, July 5.

In a statement, Crisp said there have been many comments, queries and submissions since the circular was published.

“This indicates that the circular is unclear in its intentions and, as a result, the circular is withdrawn in its entirety,” he concluded.   

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July 6, 12:00

POLOKWANE – The Health Department’s deputy director-general of the National Health Insurance, Dr Nicholas Crisp, has announced a process for certain individuals who need the Covid-19 vaccine, to apply, although they are not yet eligible to receive one.

In a statement, Crisp explained that ministers, deputy ministers, premiers and MECs, as well their direct staff will be considered eligible for vaccination outside of the vaccine roll-out eligibility criteria.

Besides them, individuals where vaccination is requested by the presidency, the minister of health or the director-general of health, as well as South African diplomats and their families who are posted overseas (during visits to South Africa) will also be considered.

A fourth group; individuals who need to travel outside of South Africa, will be eligible, if they need to travel for the following reasons:
– i. business or work-related travel
– ii. study at an accredited educational institution
– iii. sportsmen/women who need to travel outside of South Africa to represent the country.
– iv. accessing medical care.

The last of the ‘special groups’ are individuals who have received one dose of the Pfizer vaccine outside of South Africa, more than 42 days ago. They will be eligible to receive a second dose of the vaccine.

“Requests should be submitted by email to vaccine.admin@health.gov.za using the attached form (click to download pdf). Submission of documents supporting an individual’s application for vaccination may be requested, and must be submitted before the application will be approved. This documentation may include (but is not limited to): visa, work or study permit for country to which individual is travelling, letter from employer, institution of study or sports federation, affidavit signed by commissioner of oaths,” Crisp explained.

He said embassy staff based in South Africa, as well as individuals who work for the United Nations and other international agencies, will be vaccinated in line with the National Vaccination programme eligibility criteria.

“These individuals will, however, receive priority, and their vaccination will be expedited. All requests should be approved by a senior manager and all vaccines will need to be registered on the Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS),” he explained.

Crisp added that individuals, who are eligible to be vaccinated, should register themselves on the EVDS.

“Following registration, individuals should submit their details and request for prioritisation using the attached form to vaccine.admin@health.gov.za. Individuals who are not yet eligible to register on the EVDS, must submit their details and request using the attached form together with any required documentation to vaccine.admin@health.gov.za. Where groups are to be prioritised, contact details (name, ID or passport number, contact number and medical aid details) should be submitted in the form of an Excel spreadsheet. The submitting organisation must ensure that all information is correct, and that individuals have consented to submission of their personal details, and inclusion of these details on the EVDS,” he said.

Once the EVDS vaccination code is available, it will be sent to the individual.

“Except in exceptional cases, no scheduling of vaccinations will be done, and individuals will be responsible for arranging vaccination at a local vaccination site. The criteria outlined above will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis,” he concluded.