Botswana receives donation of 200 000 doses of Sinovac vaccines from China

23 April 2021
Share this story

Pan Afrikanist Watchman

Botswana will on Sunday 25 April 2021 receive a donation of two hundred thousand (200 000) doses of Sinovac vaccines from the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

China has stood unwaveringly by Botswana’s side since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China, donating personal protective equipment as well as medical supplies and a batch of testing reagents not only to Botswana but other African countries.

The donation follows the visit to Botswana in January by Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, during which he and his Botswana counterpart, Dr. Lemogang Kwape, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

According to Acting Permanent Secretary, Government Communications in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration John Dipowe, this donation precedes an additional two hundred thousand purchased doses of Sinovac, which are “expected to arrive in the country soon”.

Dipowe confirmed that the consignment will arrive at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport on Sunday at 14:15pm and will be received by the Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Kab Morwaeng; Health and Wellness Minister Edwin Dikoloti and some senior Government officials.

This is the second donation of Covid-19 vaccines from an Asian country. The first 36 000 doses of Covishield (Astrazaneca) were donated by India under the Covax facility and was used to start the inoculation campaign in the country of just under three (3) million people.

As of 10th April this year, some 31 628 people across the seven (7) districts, being, Ngamiland District Health Management Team (DHMT), Greater Francistown DHMT, Greater Gaborone DHMT, Serowe DHMT, Kweneng East DHMT, Greater Selebi Phikwe DHMT and Kgatleng DHMT – had been successfully vaccinated.

There were however, only two cases of deaths reported n or around the time the elderly clients were inoculated with Covishield in the Greater Palapye and Greater Gaborone (Kweneng area) Covid Zones.

These cases were immediately referred to the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BOMRA) to find out of the cause of the deaths was in way linked to the vaccine.

In some western countries and indeed in Africa, the Astrazaneca vaccine had attracted lots of controversy with reports linking it to patients developing blood clots after taking it in some cases leading authorities to suspending its use at the advice of World Health Organisation.

Botswana’s death toll attributed to Covid-19 as of April 23, 2021 stood at 691while total registered number of infections were 45, 855 with some 41, 338 civilians recovered from the disease.

Meantime, the country remains in a state of emergency until Independence Day on September 30th while a 10pm to 4am curfew has been imposed to try and restrict movements.  

China has signaled its openness to vaccine cooperation as well as pledged that once developed and deployed, its vaccines will be made a “global public good” and to help to realise the accessibility and affordability of Covid vaccines in developing countries.

China has also joined the WHO’s COVAX plan while Chinese vaccine developers – Sinovac, Sinopharm and CanSinoBio – have applied to join Covax.

Last Posts

Prof. Peter Katjavivi (middle) speaks in Botswana last week at the signing of the Agreement to Amend the SADC Treaty to establish the SADC PF as an official institution of the regional bloc. Photo: Bright Khumanego

“Are we really here?” – Prof Peter Katjavivi reacts to transformation of SADC PF

Share this story

Share this storyBy Moses Magadza Gaborone, Botswana – In Luke 2:25-32, Simeon, a devout man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen Christ, said –…

23 April 2021

The Executive Secretary of SADC, Mr. Elias Magosi (left) speaks while the Speaker of the Parliament of South Africa, Hon Thoko Didiza and Botswana’s Minister for State President, Hon. Moeti Ceaser Mohwasa listen in. Photo: Bright Kumanego

SADC urges swift ratification of Regional Parliament Treaty before August Summit

Share this story

Share this storyBy Moses Magadza Gaborone, Botswana – The Executive Secretary of SADC, Mr. Elias Magosi, has hailed the recent signing of the Agreement to amend the SADC Treaty to transform the SADC Parliamentary Forum…

23 April 2021

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana, Honourable Dithapelo Lefoko Keorapetse. Photo: Bright Khumanego, Parliament of Botswana

Botswana Speaker says SADC Regional Parliament will boost citizens’ participation

Share this story

Share this storyBy Moses Magadza Gaborone, Botswana – The Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana, Honourable Dithapelo Lefoko Keorapetse has said that the transformation of the SADC Parliamentary Forum into a regional parliament will…

23 April 2021

ELATED: Botswana’s Minister for State President Honourable Moeti Ceaser Mohwasa (right) with the Speaker of South Africa Hon Thoko Didiza at the signing ceremony. Photo: Bright Khumanego, Parliament of Botswana.

Call to embrace SADC Parliament

Share this story

Share this story… as Botswana signs Treaty Amendment Agreement By Moses Magadza in Gaborone GABORONE- Botswana’s Minister for State President Honourable Moeti Ceaser Mohwasa, has welcomed the signing of the Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty…

23 April 2021

ussian-delegates-emerging-from-a-Meeting-in-Riyadh

Main outcomes of the Russia and United States expert groups meeting

Share this story

Share this story(March 25, 2025) 1. In line with the agreement reached by the presidents of Russia and the United States, the Russian and American sides agreed to provide for the implementation of the Black…

23 April 2021

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with Channel One on Talks in Riyadh and their Outcome

Share this story

Share this storyMoscow, March 25, 2025 Question: Let us begin with your birthday. You have received plenty of birthday wishes. There was even a “marathon” of your wonderful verses. Did you have time to look…

23 April 2021

Related Stories