Germany’s Federal Foreign Office has commitment $4.9-million to bolster UNICEF South Africa’s aim to vaccinate 70% of the population against Covid-19 by the end of 2022.

About 102 000 people have died in South Africa since the beginning of the pandemic. The country’s vaccination rate is currently almost 51% of the adult population and 37% for young people aged 18 to 34.

The resources will strengthen cold chain management and systems and communication and community engagement work, led by the national and provincial health departments.

There will be a focus on the 32 districts with the lowest Covid-19 vaccine coverage across the country.

The donation will also support equipment procurement, electronic inventory roll-out, and vaccine management training for frontline vaccinators and logistics personnel.

“In addition, the funding will bolster demand generation activities to understand and tackle the remaining barriers to Covid-19 vaccine uptake and encourage people to take the shot,” said UNICEF representative to South Africa Christine Muhigana.

Acting Head of Mission of the German Embassy in Pretoria Rüdiger Lotz said Germany is committed to supporting South Africa, as part of its Last Mile Initiative, to strengthen its immunisation work.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Germany has supported South Africa with medical goods and committed more than €200-million towards the development and strengthening of local vaccine production capacities.

“This generous support from the Government of Germany is essential to protect as many people as possible from severe illness and death,” said Muhigana.