South Africa has donated more than two million doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to the African Union for distribution to its members.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said his government has, through the African Renaissance Fund (ARF), signed an agreement with the African Vaccination Acquisition Trust (AVAT) to donate 2 030 400 doses of the vaccines valued at more than US$18 million to African countries.
“This donation embodies South Africa’s solidarity with our brothers and sisters on the continent with whom we are united in fighting an unprecedented threat to public health and economic prosperity,” Ramaphosa said.
He added: “The only way in which we can prevent COVID-19 transmission and protect economies and societies on our continent, is to successfully immunise a critical mass of the African population with safe and effective vaccines.”
The vaccine would be made available to African countries through the African Medical Suppliers Platform over the coming year.
The donated vaccine would be produced at the Aspen Pharma manufacturing plant in Gqeberha, South Africa operated by Aspen Pharma.
AVAT was formed following the establishment of the AU COVID-19 African Vaccination Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) in November 2020 by Ramaphosa who was then chairperson of the AU.
The main purpose of the task team is to secure the necessary vaccines and financing resources for achieving Africa’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy which targets vaccinating a minimum of 60 per cent of the continent’s population.
AU Special Envoy, Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa said “this generous donation from the people of South Africa” would be distributed directly to the lowest income member states, as quickly as possible.”
He revealed that the task team has so far secured over 600 million vaccine doses for the continent.
“As AVAT we have already received and distributed over 100 million doses of donated vaccines, most of which came as a result of President Ramaphosa’s tireless efforts with the richest nations like the United States, EU, and France.
“In addition, AVAT has entered into direct purchase of over 500 million doses, mostly produced in South Africa.”
JN/APA