South Africa expects Johnson & Johnson Covid 19 vaccine next week

South African government has announced that it is expecting to receive a batch of Johnson & Johnson Covid 19 vaccine next week.

Speaking to the SABC journalist, South Africa’s Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize said government has placed a temporary halt in the roll-out of the AstraZeneca doses

This comes after studies conducted by the Health Department has showed that the vaccine has 22% efficacy in preventing mild to moderate cases of the 501yV2 variant in South Africa.

Director General at the Department of Health, Dr Anban Pillay,has reviewed the inefficacy of the AstraZeneca doses  ordered from India saying its expiring date is April

“The expiry date of vaccines are ordinarily 6 months expiry date. Unfortunately, these vaccines came with an expiry date in April which we only identified on arrival,” he said.

South African government has however assured the public that vaccination will continue as they have reached other vaccines from different suppliers.

“We would, for the public, still assure that the vaccination programme still continues and we have reached out to other companies so that we can bring forward the availability of J&J and Pfizer vaccinations, which we have ordered.”