World Bank, Gov't vaccine loan talks reach Ts & Cs

Last week and this week, President Mokgweetsi Masisi hinted that some support was being sought from the World Bank and that he had instructed that urgency be applied to securing vaccines for Botswana.

Last November, the country made an upfront payment to COVAX, the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s vaccine arrangement under which more than 180 countries will collectively secure doses from manufacturers for their citizens. Under the arrangement, Botswana is due to 940, 800 vaccines under a two-dose regimen, meaning about 20% of the population will be covered.