• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Coronavirus

AfriForum says private sector is not prevented from purchasing COVID-19 vaccines

2 March 2021, 4:08 PM  |
Phanuel Shuma Phanuel Shuma |  @SABCNews
More than 177 000 healthcare workers have been vaccinated.

More than 177 000 healthcare workers have been vaccinated.

Image: Reuters

More than 177 000 healthcare workers have been vaccinated.

Lobby group AfriForum says government has admitted that there are no legal restrictions to prevent the private sector from purchasing COVID-19 vaccines.

The group and trade union Solidarity have called on government to allow the private sector to purchase and distribute vaccines to combat the coronavirus. They recently approached the High Court to force government to give clarity on the legality of the state’s centralisation of the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The lobby group’s action comes after the two organisations threatened legal action against the government. They wanted the court to declare any legal exclusion of the private sector regarding the purchase of vaccines, unconstitutional. They say the government lacks the capability to handle the vaccine rollout alone. Trade union Solidarity’s Dirk Hermann has told the media in Pretoria that the private sector must be involved.

“The private sector must be involved in the full vaccine value chain, government doesn’t and to ensure that we went to court the nationalisation of the vaccine process. This was done in the wake of several statements whereby among others the minister of health that this will be managed by the central government alone.”

Government has recently acknowledged that it was illegal to monopolize the procurement and roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccines. This now allows private medical businesses to procure and distribute the vaccines.

AfriForum’s CEO, Kallie Kriel, says limiting the handling of the vaccines to government only, is not a good idea and unconstitutional.

“Not the idea for us AfriForum and Solidarity but also for men and women in the streets that has the human rights to have access to good health care. If the private sector can play a role to provide good health care why should we be against that. We should not allow the idea of centralisation where the lives of normal people are compromised. Life is important.”

The groups say government cannot be trusted in handling the vaccine rollout alone, given the level of corruption it has displayed over time.

This week, government announced that more than 60 000 healthcare workers have been vaccinated since the rollout began more than a week ago. Over 50 000 people have succumbed to the virus since the outbreak of the pandemic a year ago.

Analysing the COVID-19 inoculation rollout in SA and globally:

 

 

Share article
Tags: AfriForumCOVID-19COVID-19 vaccine
Previous Post

Ghana kicks off coronavirus vaccination campaign

Next Post

Zuma’s State Commission no-show and ConCourt application against him are separate matters: De Vos

Related Posts

A woman holds a mock-up vial labeled "Monkeypox vaccine" and medical syringe in this illustration taken, May 25, 2022.

Monkeypox can be contained if we act now, WHO says

28 May 2022, 3:43 AM

CORONAVIRUS: Your daily update

27 May 2022, 7:39 PM
An employee of the vaccine company Bavarian Nordic works in a laboratory of the company in Martinsried near Munich, Germany, May 24, 2022

EU in talks for common purchase of vaccine, antiviral against monkeypox

27 May 2022, 5:45 PM
A senior receives the vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as Quebec begins vaccinations for seniors over 85 years old in a clinic in Laval, Quebec, Canada February 25, 2021.

Dhlomo attributes decrease in vaccine hesitancy to improved messaging in encouraging people to get vaccinated

27 May 2022, 9:24 AM
This is an abstract representation of the virus.

Canada reports 10 new cases of monkeypox, including the first in Ontario

27 May 2022, 6:57 AM
Monkeypox virus graphic

Africa CDC warns on vaccine hoarding amid Monkeypox outbreak

26 May 2022, 2:18 PM
Next Post
The Constitutional Court will hear the application by the State Capture Commission against Zuma on 25 March

Zuma's State Commission no-show and ConCourt application against him are separate matters: De Vos

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • Caster Semenya offered to show her body to officials to prove she was female
  • Several roads affected due to flooding in parts of KZN
  • Three Heidelberg brothers die after allegedly consuming energy drink given by their father
  • Gunman kills 18 children, 3 adults in Texas elementary school – Officials
  • Tributes pour in for SA actor Jamie Bartlett
  • SA may be home to world’s oldest person
  • Cosatu’s May Day celebrations descended into chaos, proceedings halted
  • Suspect arrested in connection with Hillary Gardee’s murder
  • [WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT] Nigerian student beaten, burned to death over ‘blasphemous’ text messages
  • Meyiwa family breaks silence over Advocate Teffo’s arrest

LATEST

Transnet logo with a train in the background.
  • Business

National Prosecuting Authority warns of more arrests at Transnet


FILE PHOTO: The logo of commodities trader Glencore is pictured in front of the company's headquarters in Baar, Switzerland, November 20, 2012.
  • Business

Glencore closes cash desks in London, Switzerland known to dispense bribe money


Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane addressing a meeting.
  • Politics

Mkhwebane to know her fate after President Ramaphosa finishes studying her letter


The Taal Monument seen in Paarl.
  • Politics

DA, high-profile Afrikaans singers to demand preservation of Afrikaans language on Paarl monument 


Congolese families displaced after fighting broke out in Kibumba queue to receive relief food at the Kunyaruchinya primary school, where they are camping, outside Goma in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo May 27, 2022.
  • Africa

Resurgent east Congo violence displaces 72,000 in one week


A woman shops in a supermarket.
  • Business

U.S. economy kicks off second quarter on strong note; rise in inflation slowing


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Ghana kicks off coronavirus vaccination campaign
Next Zuma’s State Commission no-show and ConCourt application against him are separate matters: De Vos