EFF claims victory as SAHPRA approves Sinovac vaccine

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has welcomed approval of the Coronavac vaccine by SAHPRA. The Coronavac vaccine is manufactured by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac for use against against COVID-19 in the country.

In June, the EFF leader, Julius Malema and his supporters marched to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) offices to demand that more vaccines are approved for distribution, specifically the Russian Sputnik-V and the Chinese Sinovac vaccine.

EFF CLAIMS VICTORY AS SINOVAC IS APPROVED

In a statement, the EFF said the approval is long overdue and is a result of the principled mass action by the EFF against the policy of vaccine procurement that has been ‘held ransom by capital’.

“We had warned against political interests that guide SAHPRA, which has hamstrung the process of vaccine approval. It is due to the conflict of interest of those who occupy the heights of power at SAHPRA, that the country is subjected to frivolous lockdowns and unprecedented loss of life.

“If not for the noble efforts of the EFF, the entire nation would still be subjected to narrow and unscientific imperialism in terms of vaccine procurement, and there would be no reprieve of the loss of life and infections.

READ: Vaccine latest: SAHPRA gives Sinovac the thumbs up

The party also called for the immediate massive roll-out of the newly approved vaccine for the use of people between 18 and 59.

“We call on the government to abandon their fruitless policy of registration for vaccination, and allow people to be vaccinated on site upon producing valid identification.

“All people must be vaccinated to ensure that we the nation can return to a semblance of normality, so that the incompetent government that has led us to unnecessary loss of life and collapsed our country can be removed.”

READ: EFF rally: Thousands join Malema in ‘super spreader’ march to SAHPRA