10% of SA’s population set to receive first initial Covax vaccine early 2021

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As countries across the globe raise to get first preference on the Covid-19 vaccine, South Africa is set to receive initial vaccines from the COVAX facility to cover 10% of its population in the early part of 2021.

This was confirmed by President Matamela Ramaphosa last night during his Covid-19 pandemic update where he also said that the has been recording an increased number of cases countrywide for the past 7 days.

Ramaphosa said that South Africa has concluded all the necessary processes to ensure its participation in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) COVID-19 Global Vaccine Access Facility.

“This facility – known as COVAX – pools resources and shares vaccine development risk to ensure equitable access to vaccines when they become available.”

“As part of this facility, it is expected that South Africa will receive initial vaccines to cover 10% of our population in the early part of next year.”

“We are also part of the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team that is looking at alternative financing mechanisms to secure additional vaccines for African countries beyond COVAX.”

He added that Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize is part of this Task Team and is also looking at innovative partnerships with the private sector to ensure that South Africans have access to an effective vaccine that is suitable to our conditions.