Ramaphosa: 20 million Covid-19 vaccine doses for SA
President Cyril Ramaphosa has described South Africa’s coronavirus vaccine procurement strategy as the “largest and most complex logistical undertaking” in the country’s history.
On Monday, Ramphosa briefed the nation and vowed to ramp up efforts as government’s prepares for arrival of a vaccine this month.
The first consignment will bring 1 million doses while a second consignment of 500 000 doses is expected next month from India’s Serum Institute.
Government expects to have vaccinated at least 67 per cent of the country’s population by the end of the year, putting the country in good standing to have achieved herd immunity.
“We have put in place a comprehensive vaccination strategy to reach all parts of the country. This will be the largest and most complex logistical undertaking in our country’s history,” said Ramaphosa.
“It will be far more extensive than our HIV treatment programme or even our national, provincial and local elections in terms of the number of people who have to be reached within a short space of time.”
Ramaphosa reiterated that health officials had made headway in securing a vaccine through various channels.
“We are in the process of procuring vaccines through three channels: through the World Health Organization’s COVAX facility, through the African Union’s vaccine initiative and through direct engagements with vaccine manufacturers,” said Ramaphosa.
“As I have reported before, South Africa is part of the global COVAX facility, in which countries pool their resources to support the development of vaccines with a view to ensure that all countries receive an equitable supply of effective vaccines.
“While there are several promising negotiations with a number of different manufacturers that still need to be concluded, we have to date secured 20 million doses to be delivered mainly in the first half of the year,” Ramaphosa assured.
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Despite the reassurances, there is no definitive timeline for the vaccine to land on South African shores.
“South Africa’s vaccine strategy is well underway. Understandably, we all want to know when the vaccines will be arriving. As we work to secure the supply of sufficient doses in the midst of a huge global demand, we will do everything possible to ensure that the process is transparent and that all information is available.”
Ramaphosa further allayed scepticism on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.
“There are still some in our country who are sceptical about vaccines, and there is much disinformation and conspiracy theories being spread about the Covid-19 vaccines.
“Every vaccine that will be used in our programme will have to be approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, which applies stringent scientific standards to ensure the safety and efficacy of any drug or treatment,” Ramaphosa vowed.
