16 Feb 2021

The exact timing of COVID-19 vaccination would be determined by supply and other emerging considerations, Dr Edwin Dikoloti told Parliament February 15.

 Responding to a question tabled by Gaborone Central MP Mr   Tumisang Healy, the health and wellness minister however said the intention was to start vaccination within a month and complete the exercise before the end of this year. 

  Dr Dikoloti said vaccines from COVAX were expected in the next four weeks while the AVATT platform supplies were expected between April and December.

 He said engagements with manufacturers and other prospective sources of vaccines continued to be explored so that the country could meet the needs of its citizens and residents.

“In order to successfully reduce disease transmission and contain the pandemic, it will be imperative to ensure that the entire eligible population is vaccinated against the pandemic,” he said.

Dr Dikoloti pointed out that coverage of up to 75 per cent was required for the country to achieve herd immunity.

  On the choice of vaccine, the minister said it was based on the efficacy and safety.

Apart from the efficacy, he said, cold chain storage  requirements were also considered.

Minister Dikoloti stressed that the COVID-19 vaccines were new in the market and therefore little was known about them.

He said given Botswana’s past experience in the acquisition and distribution of vaccines, the most prudent approach would be applied in the selection of COVID-19 vaccines.

 Detailing preparations for vaccine acquisition, Dr Dikoloti said government had identified different platforms for the procurement of vaccines and payments of about P107 million  had already been made to that end.

 Through the COVAX facility, he said, government had secured enough doses to cover its frontline workers or 20 per cent of the population at a cost of P31.27 million.

Botswana had also been able to secure vaccine through the African Union for which P75 million had been paid, he said.

  He stated that his ministerial budget covered the COVAX and AVATT facilities and vaccines development plan at $10 million and P164 million respectively.

The P164 million was to pay for activities associated with the deployment of the vaccines and overall planning and preparedness, human resources, training and capacity building, cold chain storage, vaccine supplies, transport and logistics, social mobilisation and advocacy and other associated costs, he said.

The minister said based on issues of supply and demand as well as government’s aim to protect lives and contain the disease, it might be necessary to revise the vaccine budget.

 Minister said government had set up a National Deployment Vaccine Programme and an Inter-Agency Coordination Committee to manage the details of the vaccine roll out plan.

 Minister Dikoloti said the plan had been developed and was in the process of execution, subject to issues of supply and regulatory compliance and some key logistical considerations.

The minister said government had also been collaborating with the private sector on how to roll out the vaccines with the collaboration covering funding, cold chain management, information dissemination and logistics.

Parliament heard that the vaccine would be rolled out in a phased manner with the first phase targeting frontline workers and most critical essential services as well as high risk groups.

 The second phase, intended to stimulate the economy and reduce health care burden, included critical economic sectors and the elderly, explained the minister.

Dr Dikoloti said the third phase entailed roll out to the adult population, both citizen and non-citizen as the country worked towards achieving herd immunity.

He explained that the phases would overlap adding coverage of  the whole targeted population was estimated to take 14 weeks.

 The minister said the successful roll out of the vaccine would enable revitalisation of the economy and relieve the health care system from the strain of the disease.

He however stressed that the COVID-19 vaccine was not a cure and therefore it was important to continue to adhere to health protocols. 

MP Healy had asked the minister to update Parliament on the COVID-19 vaccine roll out plan and to state the current status of procurement.

He also wanted to know the initial targeted population and the current budget for procurement and roll out. 

In addition, MP Healy had wanted the minster to state the criteria used to determine which vaccine to procure given issues of efficacy.ends