President Cyril Ramaphosa says the country will see an uptick in the vaccine roll-out programme as Aspen Pharmacare in Gqeberha (PE), ramps up production of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Ramaphosa was in Nelson Mandela Bay on Tuesday, leading a government delegation on an oversight visit to the company's new sterile facility following a R3 billion rand investment announced in 2018.
Addressing the media after a plant tour, Ramaphosa said South Africa would receive 30 million doses of the Johson and Johnson vaccine, while over 200 million doses would be produced for Africa Union member states.
"Availability is a challenge that all countries in the world are going through. Several African countries thought that they would start earlier but availability has been a major challenge," he said in response to media questions about the slow-rollout of the vaccination programme.
He said part of the reason why he was leading the government delegation to Nelson Mandela Bay was to ensure the availability of vaccines.
President Ramahosa said government is "absolutely committed to saving the lives of our people" and he said government was making all efforts to ensure this happens.
He said the South African government agreement with Johnson & Johnson, is to deliver more than 30 million doses of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine to South Africans, with the first deliveries being made in April 2021.
"The African Union is expected to receive over 400 million doses."
Turning to the question of possible tighter restrictions ahead of the Easter long weekend, President Ramaphosa said these would be discussed at Tuesday's meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council before an official announcement was made.
The President was asked the question in light of a weekend event in Gqeberha (PE), where up to 1000 youths flocked to the beachfront for an annual party.
The incident sparked an outcry on social media.
"If we find that our people are not really observing the protocols and there is a fear and concern that there could be a further surge, then we will have to re-examine our position and say, do we need further restrictions," he said.
Ramaphosa said the restrictions currently in place have helped to curb the rise in infections, but he said it would be discussed at the CCC meeting with input from provincial premiers and mayors.
Meanwhile, Aspen said in a statement that the new sterile facility contains high-technology, state-of-the-art pharmaceutical equipment and systems that will be used to manufacture advanced sterile medicines, including vaccines.
"These investments at the Gqeberha manufacturing site, which has been a cornerstone of both local ARV and MDR TB manufacture, demonstrate Aspen's ongoing and enduring commitment to South Africa and the continent," it said.
"This facility will allow Aspen to manufacture multiple and complex sterile products, such as vaccines and Aspen's global anaesthetics. It will also ensure quality and security of both domestic and international supply."
Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, "This is a watershed moment for Aspen as we continue to implement our strategic vision of delivering quality, affordable medicines using high-technology pharmaceutical equipment, contributing to improved health outcomes.
Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Mabuyane, said when Aspen made its investment announcement "we did not know that we would be visited by the Covid19 pandemic which continues to decimate the people of our province, our country and the world."
He said Aspen being the global player that it is, quickly focussed on playing their part in finding a solution to our present-day health pandemic.
