South Africa Puts AstraZeneca Vaccine Rollout On Hold

South Africa has put its roll-out of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on hold after a clinical trial showed it is not potent against the strain of COVID-19 most virulent in the country.

The country, Africa’s worst-hit, has already secured one million doses of Astrazeneca vaccine with another 500,000 doses expected soon.

The vaccine, produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII), has been found not to work against the 501Y.V2 strain of coronavirus.

South Africa is currently looking at options in the United States, although more doses of AstraZeneca vaccines are expected.

Through the COVAX facility, the nation which has a high burden with Africa’s highest number of cases, is expecting AstraZeneca vaccines.

Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize said vaccinations will begin with health workers next week, with an implementation study of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

“Why not sell the AstraZeneca to other countries, well it’s an option, … we will consider it. First our scientists will tell us what we do with it, can we use it within the time that’s available … before it expires,” Mkhize said while responding to questions from journalists.

“If not, can we swap it with anyone else, because we’ve discussed it with COVAX and with AVATT (the AU’s vaccine task team), so we will see what we will do.”

Growing concerns have merged over AstraZeneca’s vaccines with certain variants of the virus found to be too hard for its potency.

South Africa also has the option of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which has proven to be 89% potent against severe coronavirus cases and 57% potent against moderate to severe cases.

AstraZeneca is yet to respond to the new founding, while the SII has not made an official stance also.

South Africa’s neighbours, Eswatini has said it won’t be accepting or procuring the AstraZeneca vaccines.

The Nigerian government, when quizzed on the vaccine said the South African strain of the virus has not been found in Nigeria and the country will accept AstraZeneca’s vaccine.