By Kaveesha Fernando
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CWBN)_ The South African government announced yesterday (December 22) that the country had made a down payment to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine for 10% of their population (roughly six million people). The down payment amounted to 15% of the total payment which would be made to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine for 10% of their population.
The National Department of Health and the Solidarity Fund announced that a down payment of 19.2 million USD (R283 million) had been made to GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance) in order for South Africa to join the COVAX facility. The South African government also announced that COVAX has confirmed South Africa’s entry into the facility.
South Africa’s Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize stated that COVAX displayed the excellence of multilateralism. “It is a privilege to oversee a process that has brought together government, international partners and business for the sole purpose of delivering quality health care to the people of South Africa. This is what we have been advocating for when we speak of multi-sectoral collaboration, and it is gratifying to see this spirit being harnessed for the good of our people, Africans and the global village,” he said.
With regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa is the hardest-hit nation in Africa. The country is nearing 10 million cases, while the second-worst affected country, Morocco, is yet to pass the 5 million mark. South African authorities have blamed the carelessness of the youth and initiated crackdowns which aimed to identify those who violated the nation’s health and safety guidelines.
