• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Politics

DA calls on Ramaphosa to explain rationale behind sale of AstraZeneca vaccines

23 March 2021, 1:36 PM  |
SABC SABC |  @SABCNews
Malaysia has secured a total of 12.8 million doses from AstraZeneca, half of which will come via the global COVAX facility.

Malaysia has secured a total of 12.8 million doses from AstraZeneca, half of which will come via the global COVAX facility.

Image: Reuters

Malaysia has secured a total of 12.8 million doses from AstraZeneca, half of which will come via the global COVAX facility.

DA leader John Steenhuisen has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to explain the rationale behind government’s sale of the Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccines that arrived in the country in February.

Over this past long weekend, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announced that his department has concluded its deal with the African Union to purchase the one million doses of the vaccines. The vaccine was purchased from the Serum Institute in India and its rollout was suspended after the results of a small study showed that the vaccine had limited efficacy against the dominant coronavirus variant that was discovered in the country at the end of 2020.

SA’s vaccination process under spotlight:

Mkhize said the vaccines that expire in April will be sent to 14 African Union countries after an AU vaccine acquisition team found that they have obtained all regulatory approvals, permits and licenses to rollout the vaccines.

Media Statement: The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, is pleased to announce that the sale of the Astra Zeneca vaccines that we had acquired has been concluded. pic.twitter.com/cEk09Y95Fr

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) March 21, 2021

Steenhuisen says government is already lagging in its vaccination campaign and the Astrazeneca jabs could be used to vaccinate the elderly and those with co-morbidities in the lead up to the expected third wave of infections in the coming months.

“We are hopelessly missing even our unambitious target of vaccinating one million healthcare workers by the end of March by 75%. The South African government will tell you this is because they have no vaccines. Yet, they sold one million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. These vaccines could and should have been administered to high-risk individuals (older people and those with co-morbidities) and to protect hospitals from becoming overrun and our economy from being locked down, when the third wave inevitably arrives. Leading scientists in South Africa and in the World Health Organisation and in the European Medicines Agency all advised that these doses should be administered to high-risk individuals.”

David Mabuza says the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is not happening as fast as hoped:

Share article
Tags: DACyril RamaphosaJohn SteenhuisenAstraZeneca
Previous Post

Lectures disrupted at Northern Cape TVET College

Next Post

VIDEO: State Capture Inquiry, SARS-related testimony, part 2

Related Posts

Former Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela at an event

Madonsela questions relevance in appearing before Section 194 inquiry

1 February 2023, 1:36 PM

VIDEO: Malema legal team considering bringing application for magistrate to recuse herself

1 February 2023, 1:16 PM
EFF Leader Julis Malema is pictured outside the East London Magistrate’s Court on 30 January 2023.

EFF welcomes court ruling against Kenny Kunene on ‘hateful’ comments against Malema

1 February 2023, 9:04 AM
A candle is used during load shedding in South Africa.

National state of disaster on energy crisis long overdue: Mbalula

1 February 2023, 7:50 AM
The EFF says they are in negotiations with other parties to find a way forward in the hung municipalities.

EFF deputy mayors step down as IFP KZN coalition crumbles

31 January 2023, 6:16 PM
[FILE IMAGE] EFF leader Julius  Malema at Siyabonga Rally in Tembisa, Gauteng.

Malema’s firearm trial: State allows use of video footage as evidence

31 January 2023, 3:20 PM
Next Post

VIDEO: State Capture Inquiry, SARS-related testimony, part 2

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Gas leak shut, isolated in Pretoria North
  • King of Bacardi music ‘Vusi Ma R5’ killed in Soshanguve
  • Committee wants to halt planned demolition of North West hospital
  • Bapedi kingdom commemorates Kgosi Mampuru II, still hoping to find his remains
  • Limpopo man arrested after discovery of his wife’s body in water-filled pit toilet
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • Premier denies claims that KZN government spent millions on Mampintsha’s funeral
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • EFF welcomes court ruling against Kenny Kunene on ‘hateful’ comments against Malema
  • Shock over proposed SA sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur
  • Three suspects killed, two wounded in a shooting on R21 Highway in Ekurhuleni
  • Fuel prices set to increase by midnight

LATEST

Tottenham Hotspurs versus Chelsea
  • Sport

OUTA calls for transparency in Tottenham proposed sponsorship


Water flowing out of a tap
  • South Africa

Tshwane hopes to restore water to affected areas by end of Tuesday


Former Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela at an event
  • Politics

Madonsela questions relevance in appearing before Section 194 inquiry


  • Politics

VIDEO: Malema legal team considering bringing application for magistrate to recuse herself


A bucket is seen being filled with water.
  • South Africa

Citizens and consumers not to blame for country’s water woes: SAWC


Learners in a classroom.
  • South Africa

Free State education department slams pupil’s assault by bus driver


Weather

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

SABC © 2023

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

© 2022

Previous Lectures disrupted at Northern Cape TVET College
Next VIDEO: State Capture Inquiry, SARS-related testimony, part 2