By: Natasha Archary
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced his department’s plans to delay the rollout of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on Sunday, 7th February. This after scientists revealed the vaccine showed disappointing results against the 501.V2 COVID variant in the country.
The study involving 2,000 people found the vaccine offered minimal protection with mild and moderate COVID cases. Last week South Africa received 1 million doses of the vaccine and was due to start the scheduled rollout plan tabled by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 31st January.
The Health Minister said the way forward will be determined by a committee of scientists.
Mkhize said the vaccine would remain in the country but that the delay in the rollout plan will proceed.
South Africa is set to receive vaccines by Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer soon. The first phase of the rollout plan was intended for healthcare workers.
Professor Shabir Madhi who led the study, said they had been unable to determine how the vaccine faired against more serious infections. Most participants fell within the average age of 31 and did not present severe symptoms of the virus.
Experts say the AstraZeneca vaccine could be tweaked to be more effective against the strain first discovered in South Africa in a matter of weeks or months if necessary. It has been successful against the UK variant.
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South Africa puts AstraZeneca rollout plans on hold Natasha
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