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The National Department of Health said that it expects to receive the first batch of Covid19 vaccines in Quarter 2 next year.
In a statement, the Department said that it would be making the first payment to the Covax facility by 15 December as per the agreed timelines.
Covax, is a massively funded global collaboration involving 187 countries helping the least advanced countries to buy and roll out a vaccine for the most vulnerable.
“Having committed ourselves to this facility, we started engagements to refine a number of issues pertaining to the agreements we would need to enter into.”
The Department said in order to secure enough doses to vaccinate 10% of the population, South Africa will be required to make a down payment of R327 118 080 which will come from the Solidarity Fund.
The full cost of purchasing the doses required is estimated at R2 156 934 840.
The Department said several factors may alter this cost, most significantly the vaccine that we will ultimately purchase through this agreement.
“It is also important to understand that, aside from the costs of purchasing the vaccine, we also need to ensure we have the funds and resources secured for the actual distribution, storage, and administration of the vaccine countrywide,” said Department spokesperson, Dr. Lwazi Manzi.
He said the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 Vaccines has been developing a strategy for the rollout.
“This strategy will include a review of available resources, services delivery platforms, and the required investment to ensure a successful administration to the selected priority groups,” he said.
“Collaboration between the private and public health sectors will be key to the successful implementation of this life-saving intervention.”
Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr. Zweli Mkhize said as of Friday more than 4 900 new COVID-19 infections were reported in South Africa in a 24 hour period.
This has pushed the total number of infections since the pandemic hit the country in March to more than 805,000.
Mkize said 160 deaths were reported yesterday, bringing the national total to 21 963.
The Eastern Cape reported 69 deaths, and the Western Cape 31.
