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The DA says President Cyril Ramaphosa’s comments on SA’s vaccine strategy has raised more questions instead of providing clarity.
Image:@263Chat
That Democratic Alliance (DA) says following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s latest Covid-19 address Monday, it has become clear that South Africa has “no concrete plan” for the acquisition of this vaccine or “government is concealing crucial information.”
Either way, this spells a looming crisis for the country, says Siviwe Gwarube, the DA’s shadow health minister.
And while the DA is aware the South African government has acquired 1.5 million vaccine doses from India – which equates to 750 000 people in real terms – many questions remain.
The President announced Monday night that 20 million doses of a vaccine will be obtained during the course of this year.
“Once again this announcement was made without any details whatsoever. There are more questions than clarity.”
It is “unconscionable” that government claims that they have been engaged in bilateral engagements for six months yet some of the most basic information is still unavailable, Gwarube said.
“It is also completely inconsistent with our constitutional democracy, which is underpinned by Executive oversight and accountability, that we do not know how much government is spending on vaccines that have been ordered and from where they are being obtained.”
The Health Justice Initiative last week raised the issue of access to safe, effective, and affordable vaccine/s for both the public and private sector in South Africa and the global south, reiterating its call for the equitable allocation of a vaccine in our country.
“This is because by about mid-2020, reports indicate that there would be a global shortage of vaccines in the global south, in part due to limited supplies and global ‘scarcity’ fuelled by the stockpiling of wealthier nations and the invocation and applicability of Intellectual Property (Patent) rules in a pandemic.”
The HJI – a public health and law initiative that draws on the expertise of researchers in law, public policy, economics, and public health, as well as on experts in and outside of South Africa – said they have “encouraged” government and the private health sector to adopt a single Access and Equitable Allocation Plan, to ensure that everyone everywhere who needs a vaccine, can access it; and where access is not based on wealth or medical insurance benefits.
The HJI said their recommendations are important for social solidarity and also in line with calls from health advocates in other parts of the global south.
“It will lend itself to achieving herd immunity hopefully in our country and region. Public health principles also require that herd immunity can only be achieved by widespread access to vaccines. We are all protected when everyone is protected and non-infective,” said HJI founder Fatima Hassan.
Gwarube said if South Africa is to meet the target of vaccinating 64% of its population by year-end, the country will need a sustainable supply of the vaccine which can be ordered in bulk and delivered as soon as possible.