Here’s a rather interesting use case for satellite internet right here in South Africa.

The local vaccine rollout for COVID-19 is going rather slowly and we shudder to think how much more slowly it’s going in rural areas. Not only do South Africans have to register through the Department of Health Electronic Vaccincation Data System, but those dispensing the vaccine need access to that database as well.

One side of that problem is being tackled by Aspen Pharmacare and Eutelsat Communications.

Eutelsat is providing its Konnect satellite broadband to vaccination centres in Mpumalanga, assisting in the rollout of vaccines. The project is funded by both Aspen and Eutelsat.

“Through this partnership with the Department of Health and Eutelsat, we are bringing a novel solution to health challenges using cutting edge technology. Connecting rural vaccination centres will reduce the burden, freeing up much-needed public resources into other critical functions,” said senior executive in Aspen’s strategic trade division, Stavros Nicolaou.

Hopefully this collaboration helps to accelerate the rate of vaccinations in Mpumalanga.

In somewhat related news, it appears as if South Africans between the ages of 35 and 49 will be able to register for the vaccine from 15th July with those vaccinations starting on 1st August.

With South Africa’s third wave still grimly present, this is good news and hopefully we can get more jabs in more arms soon.

BREAKING: @mmkubayi says from 1 August:
1. #SAVaccineRollout will start with weekend vaccinations (after a meeting with Treasury for additional funding)
2. People of 35-49 years old will be vaccinated (registration for this group will start on 15 July)

— Mia Malan (@miamalan) July 9, 2021