Question NW977 to the Minister of Health
15 April 2021 - NW977
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health
(1)With reference to all the vaccines that have been procured by the Government, (a) what is the cost of each specified vaccine and (b) on what date will the (i) first and (ii) second phase roll-out of each vaccine (aa) begin and (bb) end; (2) whether transportation costs were charged for the delivery of each vaccine; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. (a) The agreements with manufacturers contain a confidentiality clause which precludes the sharing of contract terms. This includes the price of the vaccines. We have approached manufacturers to highlight the transparency requirements as enshrined in our constitution for the purposes of oversight. We hope that our representation would allow the Department to be released from the non-disclsoure clauses of the agreement.
(b) the first phase of the programme involves healthcare workers and commenced on the 17 February 2021 while the second phase is scheduled to start on the 17 May 2021. The groups targeted in each phase may be vaccinated in subsequent phases hence nobody will excluded from vaccination.
2. Transport costs are dependent on the Incoterms contained in the contract. In these contracts the manufacturers will be responsible for transportation of vaccines to South Africa. Once in the country, the Department of Health is responsible for warehousing and distribution costs of vaccines.
END.