B2B Central

vaccines

26 Oct 2021

Actuarial Society expects Covid-19 fourth wave in December

By Staff Writer

South Africa’s vaccination programme faces a race against time with a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections expected for December 2021 and into January 2022. Based on their analysis of the COVID-19 experiences of South Africa and several other countries at different stages of managing the pandemic, the COVID-19 Working Group of the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA) believes that, in spite of the low current case numbers following the peak of the third wave, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that a fourth wave is likely to emerge in December.

22 Oct 2021

COVID-19 pandemic marked by 'lack of meaningful and respectful debate'

By Staff Writer

Dialogue relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic has been marked by a distinct lack of meaningful and respectful debate largely due to arrogance and a lack of curiosity, according to Tjaart Esterhuyse, the incoming President of the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA) and Head of RGA EMEA Explore. Addressing the more than 1 650 actuaries attending the 2021 Actuarial Society of South Africa Convention this week, Esterhuyse reminded delegates that actuaries carry a responsibility to maintain the utmost level of professionalism when engaging on matters affecting the public.

21 Oct 2021

SAHPRA denies use of Sputnik V vaccine over concerns it may increase the risk of contracting HIV

By Staff Writer

SAHPRA is evaluating concerns over the safety of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in populations at risk of HIV infection. The regulatory body has been engaged in a rolling review of the data for the vaccine since the initial application was submitted on 23 February 2021. This vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of...
08 Oct 2021

Will insurers and reinsurers ask for employees’ vaccination profiles at EB renewals?

By Staff Writer

With death claims soaring in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, employer and fund schemes offering employee benefits (EB) have not escaped unscathed and this is likely to affect pricing at renewal. That’s according to Francois Schaap, Managing Executive, Guardrisk Life.
01 Oct 2021

Momentum Multiply to offer rewards for vaccinations

By Staff Writer

Momentum Multiply, Momentum’s wellness and rewards programme has announced it will reward members who are fully vaccinated. This is in line with the programme’s philosophy of rewarding good choices that lead to improved health and wellness.
30 Sep 2021

Repositioning for the reopening

By Staff Writer

The “social distancing winners” of 2020 were undoubtfully the largest beneficiaries of lockdown, while many cyclicals were left behind. Positive vaccine announcements in November, vaccination progress since and continued fiscal stimulus have paved the way for a post-COVID world.
27 Sep 2021

Over R200m relief for Momentum Medical Scheme members

By Staff Writer

Momentum Health Solutions has announced the benefit enhancements and product updates for 2022, and its main focus was on finding ways to help embattled consumers regain their financial and wellness momentum. In terms of the largest open medical scheme that it administers, Momentum Medical Scheme’s primary contribution to this lofty goal was to put more than R200m back in the pockets of its Members by deferring their contribution increase until September 2022, and even then, to only increase contributions by 6%, which equates to just a 2% increase for the year.

31 Aug 2021

When will things return to normal?

By Staff Writer

When will things return to normal? This is the question we’re all asking. Interestingly, the author Jonathan Moodley points out that the term ‘normal’ entered the English language as recently as the mid-1840s, even though it “masquerades as an ever-present universal truth”.

27 Aug 2021

Life insurance stats reveal COVID-19 impact and instil vaccine confidence

By Staff Writer

Head of Product Development at Momentum Life Insurance, Jenny Ingram, provided a window into the impact COVID-19 has had and will have on life insurance claims. Based on insights from a significant life insurance market share, Ingram is confident that these statistics provide a view of the impact this virus has had on the South African insured population as well as the positive effect of the vaccination rollout.

27 Jul 2021

How the Delta variant is spooking global investors

By Staff Writer

Last week saw one of the biggest equity market wobbles we’ve had in a while, completely unrelated to the unrest. Rather, global investors were briefly spooked by the relentless spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, particularly in the US, but also in the UK and Continental Europe.

02 Jul 2021

China's stunning vaccine surge could be good news for the world

By Staff Writer

Not only is the rapid roll-out of Covid-19 vaccinations in China good news for the domestic economy, but it could also potentially see a sharp increase in exports of treatments to other emerging markets (EM).
25 Jun 2021

SA GDP can expect an ROI of 11- 20-fold from billions spent on funding COVID-19 vaccines

By Staff Writer

“When it comes to the local mass vaccination rollout, there is strong alignment between saving lives and saving livelihoods – two inseparable priorities,” says Dr Ryan Noach, CEO of Discovery Health.