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Western Cape government defies Cabinet, set to acquire own Covid-19 vaccine (iol.co.za)
Cape Town - The Western Cape is pushing ahead with its plans to acquire its own supplies of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Provincial health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo was briefing Parliament’s health portfolio committee with her Eastern Cape counterpart on Wednesday.
“The premier, in his capacity as provincial commander of the council for Covid-19, has been engaging with suppliers and also with various other stakeholders with regard to the issue of vaccines.
“We know for sure there will be a time where there might be extra need to expand beyond some of the priorities the nation has provided for and therefore it is crucial we do that," Mbombo told MPs.
She said they had learnt from getting TB medication, ARVs for HIV/Aids and other medicines where there had always been centralisation of the procurement process.
“If something happens in regard to challenges we always make it a point that we have a plan B and that is crucial,” Mbombo said.
The move by the province comes despite Health Minister Zweli Mkhize saying last week that the National Health Department would be the sole purchaser of Covid-19 vaccines for the country.