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Minister Mkhize says that he his hopeful that we can ensure the first rollout of the vaccine dosage for 10% of the population by February 2021.
The Minister is pushing back heavily against the prevailing narratives in the last few days purporting the department and governments alleged hesitancy in vaccine procurement. He mentions that heavily resourced countries were able to already bid on vaccines during clinical trials
The Minister also mentions that South Africa has a broader part to play as the the President is the Chairperson of the African Union. (This is very important).
Professor Barry Schoub is now speaking. He mentions that there 289 vaccines in developmental stage, 66 in clinical trial stage, and 3 that have emerged as effective and safe.
The is a Ministerial Advisory Committee on Vaccines in place, chaired by Prof Schoub. They have been tasked with many objectives that they need to advise the Minister on. There is also a Vaccines Acquisitions Task Team in place.
Dr Anban Pillay says there is a three tiered phased approach.
P1: Frontline healthcare workers (1.25m)
P2: Essential workers, persons in congregate settings, people with comorbidities, persons over 60 & older
P3: Remainder of the target of 67% of the pop to achieve herd immunity
P1: Frontline healthcare workers (1.25m)
P2: Essential workers, persons in congregate settings, people with comorbidities, persons over 60 & older
P3: Remainder of the target of 67% of the pop to achieve herd immunity
Three delivery platforms of the vaccine:
- Work based
- Outreach work based (mobile clinics)
- Vaccination centers remote areas (rural areas)
- Work based
- Outreach work based (mobile clinics)
- Vaccination centers remote areas (rural areas)
The Pfizer vaccine needs to be sorted at -70 degrees which is a limitation for SA as we have limited commercial ultra low cold chain storage.
AstraZeneca has tiered pricing and can be stored at 2-8 degrees. More feasible for SA.
Both of these are double dose.
AstraZeneca has tiered pricing and can be stored at 2-8 degrees. More feasible for SA.
Both of these are double dose.
J&J vaccine is a one dose vaccine but not approved yet. Has a presence in SA as it will also be manufactured by Aspen (local presence).
AstraZeneca storage at -20 degrees. Not so bad as Pfizer.
COVAX is focusing on developing countries securing the vaccine, and these are most likely to be either AstraZeneca (just began rollout in UK) or J&J (pending approval) due to the ability to store more effectively.
COVAX is focusing on developing countries securing the vaccine, and these are most likely to be either AstraZeneca (just began rollout in UK) or J&J (pending approval) due to the ability to store more effectively.
Dr Mkhize speaks strongly against high income countries who have procured vaccines and are hoarding in terms of multiple purchase orders, and how we are vocal for low income countries and the moral responsibility we have. We are not asking for donations, but asking for equity.
Dr Anban Pillay said that the term sheets emphasized that there must be an initial deposit as well as a commitment to pay in full before release of the product. He emphasizes that the vaccine procurement process has been heavily commodified. This is important to note.
Dr Pillay also pushes back against strong prevailing narratives that SA is behind other developing countries in terms of administering vaccines. These countries have used Pfizer (not suitable for us due to very low storage temperatures) sputnik and one other (not approved).
Dr Mkhize emphasizes that COVAX was our best option at the time of starting that procuring of vaccines. He pushes back against some people who have assumed things about the ways in which SA has been negotiating.
The Minister Dr Mkhize and Deputy Minister Dr Phaahla have now been invited to address the country in vernacular to summarize the countries vaccine strategy.
