JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – The South African rand was fired on Friday, as investors took some comfort in news that the country has received COVID-19 vaccines for health care workers and should be rolled out sooner than expected following criticism of delays.
At 0712 GMT, the rand was trading at 15.3800 against the dollar, 0.49% firmer from an overnight close of 15.4550.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Thursday that the government would receive 1.5 million doses of AstraZeneca photo from the Serum Institute of India (SII), which was released over January and February.
Health workers have expressed concern that authorities have not been quick enough to get enough vaccines.
Analysts at NKC African Economics said the news was “welcome news” at a time when domestic COVID-19 incidents hit 21,832 higher than on Wednesday and more than 20,000 in the 24 hours. gone.
There has been little change in government bonds, with the yield on the 2030 benchmark linking up 1 basis point at 8.810%.
In the equities markets, stocks were also burned, with Aspen Pharmacare, which manufactures the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines in South Africa, leading the rally.
Aspen climbed 3.34% at 0724 GMT after a company chief executive told Reuters on Thursday that the country’s largest pharmaceutical company could start producing the J&J vaccines by late March or early April if all permits in place.
The health ministry has announced that negotiations on advanced vaccine detection with J&J have also boosted Aspen’s benefits.
The Johannesburg All-Share index rose 0.76%, while the Top-40 index climbed 0.77%
Reciting with Nqobile Dludla; Edited by Shailesh Kuber