SA offers AstraZeneca jabs to AU
South Africa will give its doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to the African Union after scrapping their use due to efficacy concerns, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said.
The country suspended its vaccine rollout — which was meant to begin with the AstraZeneca shots earlier month — after a study found the jab failed to prevent mild and moderate illness caused by a new variant discovered in South Africa.
“The doses we purchased have been offered to the African Union to distribute to those countries who have already expressed interest in acquiring the stock,” Mkhize told Parliament.
“There will be no wasteful and fruitless expenditure.”
The country had secured a million doses of the vaccine from the Serum Institute of India and was set to receive an additional consignment of 500,000.
But South Africa has now settled for the yet-to-be-approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine, securing nine million doses including 80,000 expected to be delivered this week.
Vaccination will begin with healthcare workers as part of an implementation study, Mkhize said.
Those vaccines will be supplemented by 20 million doses of the Pfizer formula as South Africa embarks on an ambitious aim to inoculate around 40 million people — 67 percent of the population — by the end of the year.
More doses will be secured through the World Health Organization-backed Covax facility and the AU.
Source: AFP
In other news – Shauwn Mkhize’s son Andile spoils girlfriend Sithelo with expensive gifts on Valentine’s Day – Photo
Love truly lives here. Valentine’s Day came and went, but we are still gushing over what our favorite celebs got on this special day.
The day is all about romantic gestures and lovebirds usually celebrate it by exchanging pricey gifts, taking some much-needed break somewhere remote and romantic, and by going out to treat themselves. Andile Mpisane is one of our faves who also went all out for his baby mama Sithelo Shozi on, as he decided to spoil her with a stunning timepiece. Learn More
