SA can make its own vaccines: Nzimande

By Simon Nare

The departments of health, and science, technology and innovation have developed the capacity to produce vaccines in anticipation of any pandemic that can strike in the country or the continent, according to Science Minister Blade Nzimande.

Answering questions in the National Council of Provinces, he said South Africa was working with some of the big countries from around the globe such as China, Germany and France in developing these vaccines.

The minister said the department had sprung into action following the Covid-19 pandemic which nearly paralysed the economies of the entire world and claimed millions of lives.

“I am proud to say since Covid-19, the president said to me, in the light of the challenges we are facing with the acquisition of vaccines by the African continent, what can you do? I am very pleased to say now we have developed capacity to begin to produce some