Share

Covid-19: US donates 5.7 million Pfizer vaccine doses to SA

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article
  • The United States has donated 5.7 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine to SA.
  • The doses will start arriving in the country on Saturday. 
  • The US mission says the donation is part of the country's "global efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic".

The United States has donated 5.7 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine to South Africa and the first consignment is expected to land in the country on Saturday.

The donation gives South Africa's immunisation programme a significant boost after initial supply constraints.

The use of the AstraZeneca vaccine was stopped after it showed less protection and reduced efficacy against the Covid-19 variant that was spreading in the country. Another blow to the programme was when production of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine was halted due to contamination at a factory.

READ | Level 3: Cinemas, theatres, museums and casinos can operate again

In a statement on Wednesday, the local US mission said the donation was part of the country's "global efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic".

The US has pledged to donate 500 million vaccine doses to other parts of the world, including Africa, through Covax.  

READ | SA-born biotech billionaire Soon-Shiong sees his shot as universal vaccine booster

This week, the Aspen plant in Gqeberha also released 1.4 million doses from J&J, which are expected to be sent to sites next week.  

By Tuesday evening, a total of 6.8-million vaccine doses had been administered.

Vaccinations are open to people aged 35 and older.

On 1 September, registrations will open for people aged 18 and older.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
42% - 393 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
58% - 544 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent-ruolie
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE