In the wake of a study that revealed that the AstraZeneca vaccine was less effective against the SARS-CoV-2 variant that scientists first identified in South Africa, the South African government is planning to roll out the Johnson & Johnson vaccine instead of the AstraZeneca vaccines.
According to reports, officials will from next week distribute the vaccine to front-line healthcare workers.
In a televised statement, Zweli Mkhize, South Africa’s Health Minister, said that the vaccine was safe and had already undergone testing in 44,000 people.
He explained that “the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been proven effective against the 501Y.V2 variant,” which is dominant in South Africa, “and the necessary approval processes for use in South Africa are underway.”
“The rollout of vaccination will proceed in the form of an implementation study with the partnership of the Medical Research Council and the National Department of Health vaccination sites across the country,” he continued.
“This will provide valuable information about the pandemic in the post-vaccination community and thus, ensure early identification of breakthrough infections should they occur amongst vaccinated health workers.”
