The U.S. Mission in South Africa announces a donation by the United States Government of 5.7 million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s global efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. This gift from the people of the United States – the largest bilateral vaccine donation to date – will be enough to fully vaccinate more than two and a half million South Africans. President Biden has pledged to donate 500 million vaccine doses globally, including by sharing doses with Africa through COVAX and in coordination with Africa CDC and the African Union. The Solidarity Fund of South Africa—a public benefit organization—has supported the delivery of these vaccine doses, which will begin arriving at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on July 31, 2021.
Chargé d’ Affaires Todd Haskell is joined by South African Acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi at O.R. Tambo International Airport to welcome the first shipment of over 5.6 million million doses of Pfizer vaccine donated by the United States to South Africa.
Chargé d’ Affaires Todd Haskell is joined by South African Acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi at O.R. Tambo International Airport to welcome the first shipment of over 5.6 million million doses of Pfizer vaccine donated by the United States to South Africa.
This donation will help protect South Africans from the ravages of the COVID-19 virus and will support continuing efforts to build back the South African economy. Chargé d’ Affaires at the U.S. Mission, Mr. Todd Haskell, stated: “On behalf of the American people, I am very proud that we are able to donate these vaccine doses to South Africa and have no doubt that the medicines will help save many lives in South Africa. Over the years, through programs such as PEPFAR, the United States and South Africa have built one of the strongest bilateral health partnerships in the world, which is why our countries have been able to successfully work hand-in-hand since the very beginning of the pandemic to protect the health and safety of our citizens. South Africans know they can count on the United States, as a friend and partner, to support their efforts to fight the pandemic and get their economy back on track.”
As we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and work to end the pandemic worldwide, President Biden has promised that the United States will be an arsenal of vaccines for the world. As the President said, “From the beginning of my presidency, we have been clear-eyed that we need to attack this virus globally as well. This is about our responsibility — our humanitarian obligation to save as many lives as we can — and our responsibility to our values. We’re going to help lead the world out of this pandemic, working alongside our global partners.”
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COVID-19 Vaccine Arrives in South Africa
Statement by South African Department of Health posted on Twitter
Acting Minister of Health, Mmamoloko Kubayi joined by Health Deputy Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla and Chief of Mission at US Embassy in South Africa Mr Todd Haskell Receives 2.8 Million Pfizer vaccine doses at the OR Tambo International Airport on behalf of the RSA government.
The arrival of the 1st Pfizer vaccines consigned is part of the donation from USA government. The next batch will arrive on Tuesday to conclude the 5.6m doses donation #VaccineRollOutSA
The donation will contribute to the country’s expanded vaccination programme which is fast gaining momentum to reach more people #Pfizer #VACCINE #VaccineRollOutSA
This contribution comes timely for us as we prepare to move to younger age cohort of 18 in September. Today’s donation contributes to security of supply to meet the demands we have to reach our set milestones and vaccinate a majority of the population soon #VaccineRollOutSA