Vodafone Foundation and Vodacom have made a major donation of 108,000 Covid-19 vaccines to the country of Lesotho as we continue to support our markets through the pandemic.
The delivery is the culmination of a pledge Vodafone Foundation and Vodacom made in April to donate $1 million (R14.6 million/€848,200) to Lesotho to purchase vaccines. The vaccines, which came from the African Union African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), are the first batch of about 1.3 million doses to be delivered. They formed part of Lesotho’s $10 million (R146 million/€8.5 million) order, made through AVAT and from contributions by private sector organisations, development partners and the government. Vaccination is essential to protecting Lesotho, where Covid-19 is expected to lead to a significant increase in poverty. The World Bank estimates that an additional 3.2% of the population has been pushed into extreme poverty as a result of the pandemic, with the extreme poverty rate now at 30.5%.
The latest donation of Johnson & Johnson vaccines by Vodafone Foundation and Vodacom is expected to accelerate the roll out of the country's three-phase vaccination plan. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires a single dose, and should take the country to higher phases in vaccination, benefitting teachers, border personnel, armed forces, factory workers, and the general public.
The delivery was received by the Prime Minister of Lesotho, Dr. Moeketsi Majoro, in a ceremony at the Ministry of Health Headquarters. Speaking at the event, Mohale Ralebitso, Vodacom Lesotho’s Managing Director said: “We are conscious of the critical interventions that the private sector can make to the health condition of the Basotho. We wish to continue making our humble presence felt in the health and other sectors through our Vodacom Lesotho Foundation to ensure that we make a difference in the lives of the communities within which we operate.”
Vodacom Lesotho Managing Director, Mohale Ralebitso
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