5.7 MILLION COVID-19 VACCINE DOSES FOR SOUTH AFRICA
The U.S. Mission in South Africa announces a donation by the United States Government of 5.7 million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s global efforts to fight the #COVID19 pandemic. This gift from the people of the United States – the largest bilateral vaccine donation to date – will be enough to fully vaccinate more than two and a half million South Africans. President Biden has pledged to donate 500 million vaccine doses globally, including by sharing doses with Africa through COVAX and in coordination with Africa CDC and the African Union. The Solidarity Fund of South Africa —a public benefit organization—has supported the delivery of these vaccine doses, which will begin arriving at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on July 31, 2021.

This donation will help protect South Africans from the ravages of the COVID-19 virus and will support continuing efforts to build back the South African economy. Chargé d’ Affaires at the U.S. Mission, Mr. Todd Haskell, stated: “On behalf of the American people, I am very proud that we are able to donate these vaccine doses to South Africa and have no doubt that the medicines will help save many lives in South Africa. Over the years, through programs such as The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the United States and South Africa have built one of the strongest bilateral health partnerships in the world, which is why our countries have been able to successfully work hand-in-hand since the very beginning of the pandemic to protect the health and safety of our citizens. South Africans know they can count on the United States, as a friend and partner, to support their efforts to fight the pandemic and get their economy back on track.”

US Embassy South Africa