In an historical agreement between African Union and European Union, Aspen will start producing vaccines under licence rather than under contract at its Gqeberha plant in the Eastern Cape. Over the next three months, starting late July, Aspen will be delivering over 17 million Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses to South Africa and other African countries.

There are negotiations taking place that in time, South Africa will have a fully owned African vaccine manufactured on African soil with the drug substance itself being produced in South Africa.

Currently in South Africa, those aged 50 and above can register for the vaccine. As of the 15^th July 2021, people aged 35 to 49 can also start to register for the vaccine and will be able to receive it from the 01^st August 2021.

In the last month, the pace of vaccination has more than doubled and will continue to increase. With more and more South Africans getting vaccinated and more vaccines becoming available, more age groups can start registering and getting their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Currently, on average, around 190,000 people are being vaccinated each weekday.

Sources:

Presidential Address, 11^th July 2021

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