People who are over the age of 60 are receiving grocery vouchers worth R100 when they take the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) vaccine.
Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla said the grocery vouchers were part of a pilot project which seeks to encourage more South Africans to get vaccinated. The project, which is valued at R26 million, is expected to benefit 260 000 pensioners.
“The pensioners will receive the vouchers on a first-come, first-serve basis,” said Minister Phaahla.
The vouchers have been sponsored by the DG Murray Trust, Alan Gray Financial Services, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Elma Vaccines Foundation and Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.
“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,” said the Minister.
He explained that the voucher is sent to the cellphone number of senior citizens registered with on the Electronic Vaccination Data System. Coupons are redeemable at Shoprite, Checkers and Usave stores.
Pensioners automatically get an invitation to receive their vouchers. This followed by an option to opt-in by dialling “YES” at no cost to the user upon receiving an SMS.
“By dialling in, they are given access to the Money Market account of Shoprite, which protects their money. They cannot lose their voucher and once they have registered, that money is available to them,” the Minister said.
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