Question NW3556 to the Minister of Health
20 October 2015 - NW3556
James, Dr WG to ask the Minister of Health
(1)How much stock of the registered tuberculosis vaccine, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), is available in the country as at the latest specified date for which information is available; (2) (a) how much of the unregistered version of BCG was recently imported, (b) when did each specified batch arrive in the country and (c) where was each specified batch imported from; (3) what is his department’s plan to ensure a sufficient supply of BCG in the foreseeable future?
Reply:
- In July 2015, a total of 760,000 doses of BCG vaccine were received from Statens Serum Institute in Denmark (registered supplier in South Africa) and were distributed to provinces. Currently, the stock is in facilities and as such very difficult to quantify.
- (a) The Department of Health applied for Section 21 Permit from the Medicines Control Council (MCC) to procure 166,000 vials which translates to 3,320,000 doses of BCG vaccine from Serum Institute of India;
(b) The BCG vaccine arrived in the country on the 28 September 2015;
(c) Serum Institute of India.
3. Statens Serum Institute of Denmark has informed the Department that 600,000 BCG vaccine doses will be delivered in October 2015 and 800,000 doses will be delivered in November 2015. In addition the Department will apply for another Section 21 Permit to procure more BCG vaccines as a further precaution.
END.