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By IOL Reporter 
9h ago
Durban – The Solidarity Fund has committed to making an initial payment of more than R320 million to ensure Covid-19 vaccines for 10% of the country’s population.
According to a statement from the Ministry of National Health, the Fund will disburse R327 118 080 next week.
“Having committed to this facility, we began commitments to refine a number of issues related to the agreements that we would have to enter into. We have been in close and constant dialogue with our COVAX partners and, based on ongoing negotiations, we are On Track. to sign the agreement and make the first payment tranche before December 15, 2020, according to the agreed deadlines. To achieve this goal, we are in advanced stages of completing our internal processes, “said the Ministry.
The total cost of purchasing the necessary doses is estimated at R $ 156,934,840.
“There will be several factors that can alter this cost, most significantly the vaccine that we will ultimately purchase through this agreement. It is also important to understand that, in addition to the purchase costs of the vaccine, we must also ensure that we have the funds and resources secured to the actual distribution, storage and administration of the vaccine across the country. Based on the production estimates provided to us at this stage, we understand that we should expect to receive the first batch of stocks in the second quarter of 2021. ” the statement read.
Some countries like China and Russia have developed their own vaccines, while other countries have entered into bilateral agreements with individual companies. There are four candidate vaccines that have been studied in the South African population. These vaccines are produced by Astra Zeneca, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer / BioNTech. The other vaccine producers are also trying to conduct trials in South Africa.
“We will involve these vaccine manufacturers and we also want to assure South Africans that while the COVAX facility is our favorite vehicle to access vaccines, we will always explore all options to ensure that the vaccine implementation process is safe and economical. . effective, “said the Ministry.
Before a vaccine can be implemented, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) must evaluate the safety, efficacy and quality of the vaccine. None of the vaccine manufacturers have submitted their application files to SAHPRA thus far.
“However, SAHPRA is committed to guaranteeing the expeditious evaluation of these vaccines once the files have been received, through various mechanisms that will shorten the time it usually takes for a product to be approved,” explained the Ministry.
To support South Africa’s efforts to ensure early access and delivery of safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines and treatments as soon as they become available, the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19 Vaccines has been developing a strategy for the implementation of a Launch of the Covid-19 vaccination.
This strategy will include a review of available resources, service delivery platforms, and investment required to ensure successful administration to the selected priority groups.
Collaboration between the public and private health sectors will be key to the successful implementation of this life-saving intervention.
MESS
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