While thin on detail, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize’s assurances early on Thursday that South Africa was on course to deliver one million doses of Covid-19 vaccines this month, was welcomed by stakeholders, while also raising questions about affordability. Facing a barrage of questions from members of the portfolio committee on health, Mkhize said the department had already reached an agreement with the Serum Institute of India on the order, but could not give MPs further details on figures.
During an earlier presentation, Mkhize said the department had engaged with a range of vaccine manufacturers from last September, projecting a 67% inoculation coverage could cost R20.6 billion, with 100% coming to R30 billion.to make a down payment to secure SA’s entry to the Covax facility meant it could not afford to purchase vaccines for its own citizens, a bullish Mkhize said: “The acquisition of the vaccines will be largely funded from the fiscus.
Economist Mike Schussler calculated the cost of vaccinating 67% of the population to amount to R12 billion. “Nehawu is elated by this announcement and we hope that government will continue to work extra hard to secure more vaccines. We applaud the update from the minister and encourage him to continue to give more updates to the public and workers, in order to help with the anxiety that has engulfed the country.
Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)
gizwile ukuhweba kwangaphambili kushintsha izimpilo kodwa awukaze ukholwe kuze kube yilapho ngithola HarryPJones0 umthengisi onguchwepheshe. Ngitshale imali engama- $ 500 futhi ngathola ngaphezu kwe- $ 5k njengenzuzo yami yokuqala. Ngiyabonga kakhulu HarryPJones0