The South African Government has signed an agreement with the African Vaccination Acquisition Trust (AVAT) to donate more than 2 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines to African countries.
The value of the vaccines amounts to more than R280-million. The donation by the South African Government will be produced by the Aspen Pharma manufacturing plant in Gqeberha.
The vaccine will be made available to African countries through the African Medical Suppliers Platform over the next year.
AVAT was formed following the establishment of the African Union’s COVID-19 Task Team in 2020 by President Ramaphosa as the then Chairperson of the African Union (AU).
Africa aims to vaccinate a minimum of 60% of the continent’s population.
AVAT has entered into a direct purchase of over 500 million doses, mostly produced in South Africa.
President Ramaphosa said the donation embodies South Africa’s solidarity with the continent in fighting an unprecedented threat to public health and economic prosperity.
AU COVID-19 envoy Strive Masiyiwa said the donated doses would be distributed to the lowest-income countries as quickly as possible.
Discussion on Africa’s capacity to manufacture its own COVID-19 vaccines:
