South Africa Struggles to Obtain COVID-19 Vaccines

The strain of COVID-19 that mutated within South Africa is considered 50 percent more contagious than any strain detected thus far. (Flickr)

South Africa began its COVID-19 vaccination program on February 17 following the delivery of 80,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine. COVID-19 has hit the country particularly hard, and the most contagious variant of the disease to date mutated within South Africa. As a result of unequal global vaccine distributions, however, South Africa’s immunization efforts thus far have lagged behind those of the United States, Canada, and other Western countries. 

Recent Spikes in COVID-19

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa shared that a total of nine million doses from J&J would ultimately be dispensed. South Africa’s pressing need for a vaccine stems largely from the recent spike in COVID-19 cases experienced between December 27 and January 10. The combination of holiday travel and the emergence of the new variant saw the country’s average weekly deaths rise 75 percent over the course of two weeks. South Africa has recorded more than 1.5 million cases of COVID-19 and 45,000 deaths.  

The country’s health ministry has struggled to secure doses of the vaccine amid high demand from many other countries. The ministry reported that since richer states made pre-orders during early stages of production, poorer states like South Africa have had to purchase some vaccines second hand for nearly twice the price. Luckily, a purchase of 20 million vaccines directly from Pfizer did not have such a markup. South Africa has continued pursuing doses from around the world in order to expedite the immunization of its 59 million inhabitants. 

The Need for Equitable Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines

High demand for still-scarce vaccines has led richer countries to buy up available supply while poorer countries have had to push off public vaccination programs. Though this inequality naturally harms the disadvantaged countries, wealthier states may also lose out in the long run as COVID-19 variants continue to develop in areas that lack widespread immunization. Although containment policies such as social distancing and travel restrictions were in effect, the South Africa mutation has now spread worldwide and, along with other variants, it threatens the efficacy of existing vaccines. Ending the pandemic requires more than just having the means, it requires distributing those means equally.