US Chargé d’Affaires Todd Haskell announced on Friday the donation of about R134-million (or $9-million) in urgent Covid-19 assistance from the US to South Africa to boost the country’s vaccination drive. 

This forms part of additional support from the American Rescue Plan Act and complements the more than $800-million in annual foreign assistance from the US to South Africa.

The donation will be used to strengthen vaccination site set-up, improve service delivery of vaccines in rural areas, maintain government’s electronic vaccine registration system and to train health workers.

Haskell said Covid-19 is a global challenge that requires a global response. 

“The world will never be safe when this pandemic is raging globally. New variants will continue to arise, placing us all at risk. Our overarching aim is to get as many safe and effective vaccines to as many people as fast as possible. Protect yourself and others. Get vaccinated,” he said.