• South Africa has a "request for vaccination for special circumstances" process, if you really need a Covid-19 vaccine before your age group is due.
  • The system is aimed at people who need to travel, or may have other reasons to get a vaccine early.
  • The department of health wants a letter explaining the situation, and supporting documents where applicable.
  • If approved, that will yield an EVDS reference number, which can now be used for walk-in vaccination.

You can now apply for special dispensation to receive a Covid-19 vaccine in South Africa, before your age group is due, if you really need a shot in order to travel.

The department of health on Monday published the details of a "request for vaccination for special circumstances" process that is now in place.

You can download the form here, or from the government's SACoronavirus hub.

The completed form must be emailed to vaccine.admin@health.gov.za. If approved, the applicant will get a reference number for the Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS). Those can now be used for a walk-in basis at many vaccination sites, including private sites, and it largely makes no difference whether you have medical aid coverage or not.

The health department does not anticipate scheduling any vaccine appointments for those  who receive special permission; "individuals will be responsible for arranging vaccination at a local vaccination site."

The special-circumstances system is expected to be mostly used for those who need to travel, and the health department said the reasons for travel that will be considered are for:

  • business or work-related travel
  • study at an accredited educational institution
  • sportspeople who need to travel outside of South Africa to represent the country, and
  • accessing medical care.

Relevant documents may be requested, says the department of health, and it will wait for those before approving an application. It anticipates such proof may include:

  • visas
  • work or study permits
  • a letter from an employer, institution or sports federation, and
  • a signed affidavit.


(Compiled by Phillip de Wet)

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