Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces
Hamas: A delegation from the Hamas leadership, led by the head of the leadership council, Mohammad Darwish, met with an Islamic Jihad delegation, headed by its Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah

'Pharmaceutical bullying': How S.Africa paid 2x EU price for vaccines

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Politico
  • 7 Sep 2023 15:51
4 Min Read

The vaccine suppliers in question include Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Pfizer, the Serum Institute of India, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

  • x
  •  Pre-loaded syringes with COVID-19 vaccine are ready for use in New Orleans, on Jan. 25, 2022. (AP)
    Pre-loaded syringes with Covid-19 vaccine ready for use in New Orleans, on Jan. 25, 2022 (AP)

Unredacted COVID-19 vaccine contracts between South Africa and several pharmaceutical companies have been made public, leading civil society organizations to accuse the companies of "pharmaceutical bullying", Politico reported on Thursday. 

The vaccine suppliers mainly include Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Pfizer, the Serum Institute of India, and Gavi - the Vaccine Alliance.

The contracts with these suppliers reveal that South Africa paid higher prices for some COVID-19 vaccines compared to the EU.

Notably, the Serum Institute of India charged South Africa $5.35 per dose for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, while the EU paid just €1.78 (approximately $2.17).

South Africa was, however, able to secure a discount on the price of the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine, paying $10 per dose compared to the €15.50 (just under $19) reportedly charged to the EU.

But NGOs say this is still more than the cost price of $6.75 that the African Union was reportedly charged.

Read more: More than 30% of US citizens blame COVID vaccines for increased deaths

Multiple civil society organizations have analyzed the South African contracts and concluded that they reveal "pernicious pharmaceutical bullying and heavy-handedness."

"The terms and conditions in these contracts and agreements are so one-sided, and so in favor of multinational corporations that they beggar belief," Fatima Hassan from the Health Justice Initiative told Politico. 

Related News

Lawsuits pile up against BioNTech on alleged Covid vax side effects

Vaccines to treat cancer possible by 2030: BioNTech founders

The contracts also reveal that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Pfizer prevented South Africa from imposing export restrictions on vaccines and both prohibited the country from donating or exporting doses without their consent.

Gavi's contract, related to vaccines under COVAX, did not guarantee the number of doses or delivery dates.

Read more: New COVID-19 variants fuel surge in cases in Mediterranean, Pacific

The release of these contracts offers concrete evidence to support these allegations. Globally, there has been a push for greater transparency regarding COVID-19 vaccine deals, as many were marked by secrecy and included strict clauses on indemnity and confidentiality.

In the EU, there has been a call for both unredacted COVID-19 contracts and disclosure of alleged text messages between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during contract negotiations.

The publication of these documents should trigger worldwide measures, according to the coalition comprising HealthGAP and Global Justice Now.

These two groups are advocating for the ongoing discussions regarding a pandemic treaty and the review of the International Health Regulations to address the enforcement of equitable terms in potential future agreements related to pandemic-related products.

J&J clarified that the final price paid by South Africa was $7.50 per dose, which matched their global pricing for all customers. J&J highlighted its technology transfer to Aspen Pharmacare in Gqeberha for local production of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and the subsequent production of Aspen's own COVID-19 vaccine, Aspenovax. The company also noted its advocacy and support for the donation of hundreds of millions of vaccine doses by countries like the US and EU members.

Regarding COVAX, a Gavi spokesperson explained that it was designed to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries. While lower-income nations received doses at no cost, South Africa, as an upper-middle-income country, participated in COVAX as a self-financing member. South Africa received over 9 million doses from COVAX, including approximately 8 million dose donations, free of charge.

Read more: COVID-19 cases around the world up by 63% from July: WHO

  • Biontech
  • pharmaceutical bullying
  • Gavi
  • South Africa
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • covid
  • Coronavirus
  • Pfizer

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS