Ramaphosa eases fears of SA missing out on Covid-19 vaccine
President Cyril Ramaphosa has attempted to ease fears of South Africa missing out on a Covid-19 vaccine next year.
This comes after concerns were raised over the fact that the country missed its first two payment deadlines to secure its place in the COVAX Covid-19 vaccine distribution scheme.
On Tuesday, Ramaphosa was at pains to explain that South Africa will get its share of a vaccine.
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“As we intensify our efforts to prevent further infections, we continue to work to ensure equitable access to an effective Covid-19 vaccine.
"As we have reported before, South Africa is part of the global pooled procurement initiative co-ordinated by Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility, commonly known as COVAX,” Ramaphosa explained.
“We can confirm that we have signed off on the agreement with COVAX and the Solidarity Fund has made the initial payment of R283 million to the facility.”
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The down payment was made by the Solidarity Fund last week.
“We are part of the first group of countries that will receive an allocation of vaccines from COVAX. We have been advised that we should expect the vaccines in the second quarter of 2021.”
He added further talks were in the pipeline.
“We are also having parallel bilateral discussions with a number of vaccine manufacturers, and will make further announcements once firm agreements are in place,” said Ramaphosa.
“We are working to secure a sufficient supply of vaccines in the shortest possible time to protect the most vulnerable in our community.”
When the vaccine becomes available, frontline workers in the public and private sector will be the first in line to receive the vaccine.
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