To encourage more South Africans to get the COVID-19 vaccine, various companies and foundations have come on board to help boost vaccination rates by providing various incentives.
Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, said adults over the age of 60, who take the vaccine in November, will be rewarded with a R100 grocery voucher after taking their jab.
The Minister on Friday, Octover 29, announced that the pilot scheme was valued at R26 million to benefit 260 000 pensioners.
“This will be on a first-come, first-serve basis,” he said.
The Minister explained that the voucher will be texted to the cellphone number senior citizens registered with on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS). Coupons will be redeemable at Shoprite, Checkers and Usave stores.
Pensioners will automatically get an invitation to receive their vouchers. However, due to the Protection of Personal Information Act or POPI Act, they will have to opt-in, by dialling “YES” at no cost to the user upon receiving an SMS.
“By dialling in, they’ll then be given access to the Money Market account of Shoprite, which protects their money. They cannot lose their voucher and once they’ve registered, that money is available to them.”
The Minister told journalists that the DG Murray Trust, Alan Gray Financial Services, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Elma Vaccines Foundation, Michael, and Susan Dell Foundation have sponsored the grocery vouchers.
“We hope the pilot will be a success so that it can encourage other companies to come forward. We welcome other initiatives which are still being considered.”
Meanwhile, Nando’s has offered 1 000 vouchers valued at R500 each which will be awarded to members of 15 best performing teams at vaccination sites on Election Day, 1 November.
In addition, Uber has also offered free rides up to R100 each for health workers who will be on duty on the same day.
