Govt confirms making first COVAX payment
The Department of Health and the Solidarity Fund has confirmed that payment has been made to secure South Africa’s place in the COVAX Covid-19 vaccine distribution scheme.
An amount of R283m has been paid by the Solidarity Fund, it was confirmed on Tuesday.
This comes after concerns were raised over the fact that the country missed its first two payment deadlines to secure its place in the scheme.
“There can be no doubt that a Covid-19 vaccine will play an important role in helping South Africa manage the virus,” said Solidarity Fund chairperson Gloria Serobe.
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“The Solidarity Fund was set up for exactly this purpose to be additive to the work of government and assist in initiatives and programmes that have the greatest impact in the fight against the pandemic. The fund is grateful to be in a position to assist at this crucial juncture.”
When the vaccine becomes available, frontline workers in the public and private sector will be the first in line to receive the vaccine.
The Department of Health’s director-general Sandile Buthelezi says an additional payment will be made to secure more of the vaccine.
The vaccine set to be delivered to South Africa by the first half of 2021.
