Thread by @JacaNews

#CovidVaccination Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize is currently briefing the portfolio committee on health on the vaccine rollout.

#CovidVaccination Mkhize explains why they decided to halt the rollout of the #AstraZeneca vaccine. He says it is better to swap the vaccine so that they don't incur fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

#CovidVaccination Mkhize tells parliament that despite this, they expect to begin the vaccine rollout next week

#CovidVaccination Mkhize is done, MPs will now ask questions.

#CovidVaccination Mkhize says Cuba contacted South Africa requesting a collaboration on their vaccine. He says this matter has been taken to the inter-ministerial committee led by deputy president David Mabuza.

#CovidVaccination MPs want more information on the discussions between South Africa and China on the Sinopharm vaccine. Mkhize says discussions are at an advanced stage but they have signed non-disclosure agreements.

#CovidVaccination EFF MP, Naledi Chirwa says Mkhize is mandated by the constitution to give answers to Parliament and cannot talk about non-disclosure agreements.

#CovidVaccination Chirwa continues to raise points of orders, he says the committee cannot rubber stamp what Mkhize is saying because he is not giving the correct answers. She has been removed from the session.

#CovidVaccination Mkhize says they have not ordered any vaccine from a middle-man as rumoured, however when they are approached by a middle-man they do request a proper offer. He says once they have the offer they discuss with the vaccine producer

#CovidVaccination Mkhize says the rollout for the vaccine has changed however once they have all the details and have signed the final agreements they will provide more information.

#CovidVaccination Mkhize says the Indian government was not the seller of the AstraZeneca. He confirms that the vaccine was not a donation, government did purchase it Serum Institute of India

#CovidVaccination Mkhize tells MPS that a third wave might be one of the challenges this country is about to face and there is no way they can say they can stop it