SA makes down payment for Covid-19 vaccine

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“The National Department of Health and the Solidarity Fund are pleased to announce that a down payment of $19.2m (R283m) has been made to GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance) to secure South Africa’s entry into the Covax facility,” the department and fund said in a statement on Tuesday.

Covax has confirmed South Africa’s entry into the facility. The down payment represents 15% of the total cost of securing access to vaccines for 10% (roughly six million) of the population. The country’s membership in the Covax facility ensures that South Africa receives its equitable share of the vaccine once it becomes available.

Minister of health Dr Zweli Mkhize has hailed this milestone as the epitome of excellence in health service delivery through multilaterism.

Multi-sectoral collaboration

“It is a privilege to oversee a process that has brought together government, international partners and business for the sole purpose of delivering quality healthcare 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,” Mkhize said.

The Department of Health’s director-general Dr Sandile Buthelezi thanked the Solidarity Fund for providing the financial support that has enabled the country to meet the down payment obligations, as required in terms of the agreement.

“The Department of Health will make additional payments in relation to vaccines delivered under the Covax facility as they fall due over the next year,” Buthelezi said.