Malcom helps dear friend to register for the COVID-19 vaccine

Helen was known as "the Surf lady"

"Helen used to work for Unilever many years back. At the time, her photograph appeared on the back of the Surf Washing Powder box and she was affectionately known as 'the Surf lady'," adds Malcolm.

"She has no relatives in South Africa. I handle her financial affairs with her niece who lives in the United Kingdom. My wife and I have always regarded her as a dear friend, and we visit her often at the Caister Lodge Retirement home in Durban where she lives. She will be turning 102 next month and although she is not as physically strong as she used to be, her intellect remains sharp. Helen also has many other loving friends."

"Helen has been well protected from the COVID-19 virus"

"We are grateful that Helen has been well protected from the COVID-19 virus as the retirement home has taken excellent precautions over the course of the pandemic," reflects Malcolm. "We were unable to see her for a long time during episodes of the national lockdown. That said, Helen is pretty independent and, with the help of her caregivers, managed it well."

"My wife and I contracted COVID-19 and mine progressed to pneumonia"

"In January this year, both my wife and I contracted COVID-19 and mine progressed to pneumonia," explains Malcolm, who is 74 years old.

"I am generally a fit and healthy person and the illness really knocked me out. I was lucky not to have to go to hospital and am fully recovered now, although it took a good three months to feel like myself again."

"I was disappointed to find that all my COVID-19 antibodies had disappeared"

"I am very keen to be vaccinated against this disease as I really don't want to go through that again. Six weeks after contracting COVID-19, I had an antibody tested and was pleased to note that, at the time, I still had strong antibody levels to the disease. More recently - around four months after being ill - I repeated the test and was disappointed to find that all my COVID-19 antibodies had disappeared. This strengthened my desire for the vaccine."

Registering for your COVID-19 vaccine on EVDS and Discovery's COVID-19 Vaccination Navigator

"Helen is very keen to get her COVID-19 vaccine. I discussed the vaccination with her in full, including what we know of the process so far. I explained that in order to register for her COVID-19 vaccine she must be registered on the national Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) - it is compulsory for anyone who wants to get the COVID-19 vaccine. For Discovery clients, all you need to do to ensure that you can get your COVID-19 vaccine is to register on EVDS and book on Discovery's COVID-19 Vaccination Navigator.

Once you're registered we will support you with all the information you need at every step of your vaccination journey.

• This Discovery COVID-19 Vaccination Navigator is open to members of medical schemes administered by Discovery Health and to all Discovery clients. It provides a host of relevant support from start to end of one's vaccine journey.

"I found registration very easy," adds Malcolm. He and his wife are not Discovery Health Medical Scheme members but have registered for their COVID-19 vaccine and look forward to their vaccination appointment.

The elderly need help registering for and accessing their COVID-19 vaccine

"I am a firm believer in COVID-19 vaccination and am horrified by anti-vaxxers who spread confusion and misinformation online and elsewhere, which discourages people from getting vaccinated. This puts people's lives at risk. I am even more horrified by all the idiotic conspiracy theories that are spread around on WhatsApp and other social media platforms about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines," adds Malcolm.

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"We must help our elderly loved ones to sift through the noise, and help them register on the EVDS or on the Discovery COVID-19 Vaccination Navigator. We also need to be there to assist with the logistics of accessing their vaccine on the designated day and planning around this. If we are blessed to have elderly loved ones, this is the best we can do to keep them safe in the current context."

Here's how you can register for your COVID-19 vaccination and access the national and Discovery sites

Step 1: (Compulsory) Register on the national EVDS. This is required by the National Department of Health for all South Africans. Once you have registered on the EVDS, you will get a vaccination code to use on the day of your scheduled vaccination. The National Department of Health manages this process.

Step 2: Discovery clients can then register and book for their vaccination on the Discovery COVID-19 Vaccination Navigator.

Discovery clients will get a personalised invitation to register on this portal for added benefits tailored to their COVID-19 vaccination journey. This includes a host of support, such as:

• A view of where you fit into the national prioritisation framework.
• Access to information on what to expect when being vaccinated and how to prepare for this.
• Information on accredited vaccination sites nationwide where vaccinations will be done (including pharmacies, GP practices and hospitals, and dedicated vaccination sites), and the location of Discovery's dedicated vaccination sites.
• Reminders of your upcoming second dose, if you get a two-dose vaccine.
• Access to create a digital version of your vaccination card for safe keeping.

Find out all you need to know about registering on the Discovery COVID-19 Vaccination Navigator today.

How is your COVID-19 vaccination paid for

If you are a member of a medical scheme
The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) has stated that funding for the COVID-19 vaccine is a Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB). This means all medical schemes must, by law, fund the COVID-19 vaccine as a Prescribed Minimum Benefit for every member of the scheme, in line with South Africa's vaccine prioritisation guidelines.

The cost of a COVID-19 vaccination will be covered in full for members of medical schemes administered by Discovery Health. Members of other medical schemes will be covered through each scheme's risk pool of funds.

If you are not a member of a medical scheme

People who are not members of a medical scheme will receive the vaccine through government funded structures

Remember to:

• Register and book for your vaccination on the Discovery COVID-19 Vaccination Navigator.
• Visit the Discovery COVID-19 Vaccination Navigator or access our WhatsApp service to get instant answers to any questions you may have.