COVID-19: DA launches six-point plan to source vaccine

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has once again taken shots at government over its plans (or lack thereof) for a COVID-19 vaccine, but this time the party has a plan which it claims, can bring the groundbreaking treatment in the country much sooner.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the country had managed to pay the R327 million required towards the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) COVAX facility and that it can be expected anytime after March.

In the same vein, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said they expect to see at least 67% of the population being vaccinated by the end of the year.

DA: SA must enter bi-lateral agreements for COVID-19 vaccine

The DA has said government now needs to put the people first and urgently secure a bi-lateral deal to expedite the arrival of the vaccine to our shores.

“Other nations have been able to do this. Why can’t we? The nation of Colombia, a country with almost identical socio-economic circumstances as South Africa has managed to immediately source a Covid-19 vaccine and has secured 9 million doses,” said DA leader John Steenhuisen.

He said despite Colombia being part of the same programme as South Africa (COVAX), the South American country has realised the delays and shortcomings of the initiative and thus opted for a bi-lateral approach to swiftly secure the vaccine for its citizens.

“Like many other emerging economies, South Africa needs to opt for this route. We have put together a 6-point action plan to ensure that access to a Covid-19 vaccine for all South Africans is fast tracked so that our country and its people can get back on their feet,”

DA leader John Steenhuisen

Securing a COVID-19 vaccine faster – here is what the DA is proposing

• That government urgently begins bi-lateral negotiations with approved vaccine suppliers in order to gain expedited access to a vaccine for South Africans.
• That the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority is able to complete their required vaccine approval as efficiently as possible
• That government determine, in detail, how many doses of the vaccine are necessary to inoculate the entire population and make the necessary financial provisions for this procurement.
• That government provide a definite timeline in relation to the COVAX participation, the date the vaccines will be here, how many doses will be arriving and how they are to be allocated
• That government begin this week to develop a roll-out strategy to administer the vaccine to citizens who require it, and identify which facilities will be used to store and administer the vaccine
• Government must also ensure that the procurement of syringes, needles, swabs, fridges, and other associated ancillary requirements for the administering of the vaccine is undertaken