COVID-19 has now been a part of our lingo, lifestyle and livelihoods for a significant amount of time. The successful creation of numerous vaccines can thus be seen as a positive turning point and possible reprieve. However, vaccine creation, production and distribution can be a highly complex process, one that is fraught with financial and infrastructural restrictions. We hope to summaries this highly complex process and help you understand the reality of receiving a vaccine in South Africa.

Let us start with some of various vaccines that are currently being circulated or tested.

You have probably heard of the ones that feature below:

– Pfizer-BioNTech

– Moderna

– AstraZeneca and Oxford

Whilst it could be argued that these are a few of the leadingvaccines and potential options, the WHO notes that there are actually around 50 ‘vaccine candidates in trials’ worldwide.

Nonetheless, we will briefly note the key aspects of the vaccines in the list above:

Pfizer-BioNTech

– 2 shots, 21 days apart

– Uses messenger RNA

– Around 95% effective

– Approved for usage (in certain countries)

– Must be stored and transported at minus 70 degrees Celsius

Moderna

– 2 shots, 28 days apart

– Uses messenger RNA

– Around 94% effective

– Approved for usage (in certain countries)

– Must be stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna both utilise messenger RNA technology. The Washington Post provides an insightful explanation, in diagram format, of exactly what this entails. So too, they have a list of frequently asked questions that could prove useful, if you are interested. You can access the article, ,here.

AstraZeneca and Oxford

– Uses adenovirus-vector technology

– Around 90% effective for a half dose followed by a full dose 1 month apart.

– Around 62% effective as 2 full doses 1 month apart.

– Can be stored at regular fridge temperatures.

– More detailed information can be gleaned, ,,here.

– As of 23 Dec 2020, the vaccine has been submitted for final approval.

Whilst having knowledge about the climate of vaccine creation and the multitude of viable options is important, how is this relevant to you, in South Africa?

EWN (Eyewitness News), recently reported that South Africa has paid ,R327 million in order to cement our placement at the COVAX facility. But what does this actually mean?

COVAX is an initiative spearheaded by the WHO and other stakeholders. Essentially, funds are ‘pooled’ together from a number of countries in order to secure the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines. Once vaccines are available “the COVAX Facility will then equitably distribute these doses to help protect the most at-risk groups in all participating countries”. More detailed information can be accessed, ,here.

Now that we have discussed COVID-19 vaccines and their relevance in South Africa, you may be wondering if you should get one when the opportunity presents. To understand why you should and the importance of vaccines in general, click ,here.

We recommend that you always consult a medical practitioner with any questions or concerns.

Whilst we wait for vaccine rollout, vigilance and sanitary practices are paramount. Reducing the spread of infection should be at the forefront of our collective agendas. At Dr Temp, we are fully dedicated to this venture. As always, we encourage you to preview our range of products (click ,here,) that have been developed to prevent the spread of infections in a myriad of ways.