Africa-Press – Lesotho. Following the promises by Sesiu sa Letšoele le Beta Poho initiative to procure enough vaccines to inject the entire Basotho nation, the commendable move was halted by the
Ministry of Health’s (MoH) doubts over Sputnik vaccine efficacy. The Ministry argues that the vaccine is not yet approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Sesiu sa Letšoele le Beta Poho is a collaborative initiative by the local companies. The companies have recently collected over M25 million, aimed to procure and
distribute Sputnik vaccine once it reaches the country. According to Sesiu sa Letšoele le Beta Poho Trustee Member and Mohahlaula Airline Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Phafane Nkotsi, the MoH indicated that the Sputnik V
vaccine which they wanted to order from Russia has not yet been approved by the WHO. Nkotsi further said Lesotho does not have drug regulatory authority hence
they depend on the WHO to approve all types of medication including vaccines. He added that their aim was to secure any available vaccine which was stated to
be effective in the fight against Covid-19 so that once it has been approved, they can have it ready. He said countries around the world are queuing for vaccines
as they are in high demand and the supply is low. “Vaccines are very expensive and developed countries are not hesitant to procure vaccines at any amount named by the manufacturer,” he said.
Nkotsi further said developed countries with dense populations are mostly prioritized whereas developing countries with low populations like Lesotho fail to be at the front line.
He said Sputnik V vaccines is at stage 3 under clinical trials together with Sinopharm from China and these vaccines are in the process of being approved by WHO.
He said they had talks with the manufacturers for both vaccines and were promised over 1 million doses of vaccines from Russia. National COVID-19 Secretariat (NACOSEC) Head of Case Management Dr.
‘Makhoase Ranyali explained that the only vaccines that the government of Lesotho has allowed to
enter the country is the AstraZeneca, Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer and Sputnik has not been approved by the WHO, saying this means it cannot be allowed in the country.
“Even the Ministry of Health cannot give out any kind of permission or sign any letter regarding the vaccine that is not yet approved by WHO,” she said. Ranyali
said since February this year, they have been holding meetings with the organization whereby the government stated their budget to them as there are expenses which are going to be incurred to distribute the vaccine.
She emphasized that they are also expecting vaccines from the African Union (AU) which is being paid by the government and they suggested that they (Sesiu Sesiu
sa Letšoele le Beta Poho) can contribute to its payments. She also indicated that at the current moment, the doses of vaccines on board from AU and COVAX facility will cover the entire Basotho nation.
For More News And Analysis About Lesotho Follow Africa-Press
