Namibia has entered into bilateral negotiations with Pfizer pharmaceutical company, China, Russia and India for additional COVID-19 vaccines. This is in addition to the Covax facility through the World Health Organisation for the inoculation of 20% of the population. The Minister of Health and Social Services announced this at a media briefing at State House today. The vaccines, through Covax, which the Government has already paid for, are expected to be delivered at the end of this month or in February. The bilateral engagement with drug producers such as Pfizer and drug-producing countries are for bilateral deals and possible donations. These deals or donations of vaccines are to inoculate up to 80% of the population. The minister also called on the medical aid schemes to support their members to access the vaccines. Dr Shangula warned that there is a high suspicion that the new variant of COVID-19 has entered Namibia, judging from the high level of transmissions experienced.