The National Department of Health and the Solidarity Fund announced that South Africa has made a down payment of R283 million to secure the country’s entry into the Covax facility. South Africa’s decision to make a down payment is in accordance with the fund’s previous allocation of funds, media reports said.
The department and the fund released a joint statement stating “Covax has confirmed SA’s entry to the facility. The down payment represents 15 percent of the total cost of securing access to vaccines for 10 percent [roughly 6 million] of the population. The country’s membership in the Covax facility ensures that SA receives its equitable share of the vaccine once it becomes available.”
It is reported that the South African government, international partners and businesses are joining forces for acquiring and delivering quality healthcare to the citizens. The stipulated deadline for the down payment was last week.
With the payment, Covax has confirmed South Africa’s entry into the facility. This is considered a milestone for the country amid the pandemic. On the down side, a new variant of the coronavirus was found in South Africa, leading to an increase in cases.
The new variant is anticipated to result in the second wave of the coronavirus, according to the health minister. According to the evidence gathered, the second wave of the coronavirus will strongly be propelled by the new variant, media reports said. The World Health Organisation said that it is in frequent communication with South African researchers who recently discovered the new variant.