With only 4% of those vaccinated, South Africa is in the grip of a third wave of epidemics that is feared to be more important than the previous ones. The majority of pollutants are recorded in the provinces of Johannesburg and Pretoria, the most populous in the country. The presence of the Delta variant worries the authorities. Poor governance, lack of international solidarity, accidents at work, several factors explain the failure of the South African vaccination campaign.
as reported from Johannesburg, Romain Song
South Africa was slow at start. She began discussions with vaccine manufacturers late in the day. She also trusted Covax too much. This system would redistribute the doses that the rich countries financed and gave. An incorrect mechanism is regretted by Shabir Madhi, professor of vaccinology. “Even today, the reality is; is that many rich countries have ordered more doses than they need. It limited access to vaccines. Covax is facing the same difficulties as countries with moderate incomes. ”
Three vaccines during the study
South Africa has also resold more than one million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is considered ineffective against the beta variant. She then threw away two million contaminated doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. A major industrial accident as a result, says Mia Malan, editor at the Center for Health Journalism. “This caused a delay of almost two months. We have just started replacing these doses. And yet we are always late. We would get 3 million doses when we only have 2 million. “
Meanwhile, it is the Pfizer doses that are seeping down to South Africa. Three other vaccines are being studied: Chinese Sinovac and Sinopharm and Russian Sputnik V.
Maintain some economic activity while trying to limit the spread
Professor Mosa Moshabela, public health expert
► Also read: Covid-19: health crisis caused South Africa’s GDP to fall by 2020
#AfriqueDuSouth New restrictions to limit the spread of the virus (Delta currently in 5 regions). Exit ban at 21:00, alcohol sales ban, restrictions in Gauteng Province (Joburg / Pretoria), bars / restaurants closed. # HereWeGoAgain
– Romain Chanson (@CHANSONRomain) June 27, 2021.
