According to Group Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Banderker, “We have 3.8 million members who we need to look after and will deploy our team of nurses - along with the appropriate PPE to protect themselves – to distribute the vaccine. We will also be providing the necessary systems to help members keep track of their appointments, especially as two doses are required with some of the vaccines.”

He adds that the Afrocentric Group membership base has been segmented into the various phases to ensure that those who fall within the priority categories receive the vaccine as soon as possible. 

The Group will also be making its services available to National Provincial Governments. 

Paul Cox, Managing Director of EssentialMED shares, “While medical aids will cover the vaccine for their members – approximately seven million adults over the age of 15 – and subsidise procurement for another seven million adults who are without private medical cover, we are one of the first health insurers that will be covering a percentage for our members.”

He explains that, with medical aids remaining out of reach for the majority of South Africans due to their high cost, health insurance bridges the gap – enabling access to quality, private healthcare but at an affordable price.

“The faster we can get the vaccine out, the greater the chance of South Africans developing herd immunity and the sooner things can get back to normal,” concludes Banderker.

For more information, go to http://www.afrocentric.za.com.