The Numolux Group says China will make available up to 10 million doses of its Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for South Africa. Numolux – which is Sinovac’s partner in SA – says the offer followed the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority’s approval of the two-dose jab for use in the country.
Numolux’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Anton Arendse, says despite there being some skepticism over the vaccine’s efficacy against new coronavirus variants, inoculations are important to prevent severe diseases, hospitalisation or death.
“We are looking to very soon engage on formal negotiations and tying down logistics. So we are confident that we are able to get a purchase order out soon. It has been used in more than 40 countries, more than a billion doses have been dispatched globally,” says Arendse.
Arendse says the World Health Organisation’s view has been very consistent and that regardless of any variants or new mutations, countries need to proceed with the vaccine programme because it mitigates against death, against severe diseases and hospitalisation.
China to make up to 10-million Sinovac vaccine doses available to SA
Meanwhile, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases on Tuesday said over 220 000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in one day, taking number of people inoculated to 5 558 000.
On Tuesday, 8 929 new daily coronavirus cases were reported in South Africa, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 2 311 232. Another 596 COVID-19 related deaths were reported – with the total number of fatalities now standing at 67 676.
Health Department’s update on vaccination programme:
