Much awaited COVID-19 vaccine finally paid for

After the jabs that have been thrown at the government by mostly the members of the opposition parties, the government have finally addressed the nation with a development of vaccine acquisition and its roll-out plan.

More than hundred million pula (P100 000 000.00) payments have been made by the government of Botswana to purchase the COVID-19 vaccine. This was revealed by the Minister of Health and Wellness- Dr. Edwin Dikoloti yesterday when addressing the nation.

“The Government has, thus far, identified different platforms for the procurement of vaccines. Furthermore, payments approximating US$10million have already been made, in order to secure the various vaccines.”

Dr. Edwin Dikoloti

Some share of the vaccines will be received from MTN- one of the leading mobile network companies in Africa. MTN has donated over two hundred and fifty million pula (P250 000 000.00) for the purchase of the vaccines that will be dedicated to frontline workers in Africa. On the other hand, Botswana will receive its share of a provisional two hundred and seventy million (270 000 000) vaccines secured through The African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT).

The vaccine that is expected to arrive in the country around March this year will be administered in phases fashion; first will be the frontline workers to be vaccinated, then they can spread around the country to administer the vaccine without being vulnerable.

Dikoloti says that they are engaging the private sector for assistance in this exercise, “I am pleased to share that we are engaging with the wider private sector, and other partners, to facilitate the availability of these vaccines to all of us. The private sector has received our pleas for collaboration, and has come up with ideas on how it can contribute to protect its employees, their families and the communities around it.” He asserted. Meanwhile, Sprint Couriers has pledged to distribute the vaccine around the country once it arrives in Botswana.

However, the community has been urged to continue being vigilant and observe COVID-19 precautions even in anticipation of the vaccine as “it is not a cure but a protection with limitations”.