Lower government procurement prices for four vaccine lines take effect on Sunday, 1 November, under South Africa’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation contract.
The Department of Health attributes the reductions to favourable changes in foreign exchange. The adjustments, signed on 14 October, apply from 1 November.
The changes cover rotavirus and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines supplied by GlaxoSmithKline SA, a combined tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine from Sanofi-Aventis SA, and a BCG vaccine supplied by the Biologicals and Vaccines Institute of Southern Africa.
Which contract prices change?
Addenda 43 to 45 to contract HP16-2024EPI list these reductions:
- Rotavirus vaccine: R124.46 to R122.32, a R2.14 reduction in the listed price.
- HPV vaccine: R372.77 to R366.38, down R6.39.
- Combined tetanus, reduced diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine: R152.28 to R150.01, down R2.27.
- BCG vaccine: R150.85 to R148.24, down R2.61.
The reductions range from about 1.5% to 1.7% of the previous listed prices, calculated from the department’s figures.
Procurement prices, not patient charges
These are prices for the specified contract units, not a uniform price per vaccination or a change to retail charges. The underlying contract identifies the HPV product as a two-dose vial, for example, while the BCG specification is for a multidose vial containing at least 20 doses.
The contract circular says prices include 15% VAT and delivery, and instructs purchasers to match the unit of measure, national stock number and price when ordering.
The immediate effect is a lower listed cost for government purchases of the affected items. The adjustment notices do not provide the quantities to be bought at the new prices, so they do not establish an overall rand saving or additional vaccinations funded.
