SOUTH AFRICA. Durban: South Africa has decided to chose the Johnson & Johnson vaccine over the Oxford AstraZeneca as the country desperately fights the second COVID-19 variant.
South Africa’s Health Minister Zweli Mkhize made the announcement on January 10. According to Mkhie, the vaccine has a proven efficacy rate when compared to the other vaccines.
As per the reports, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was suspended on January 7, after studies revealed that it had a lower efficacy rate against the South African version of the coronavirus.
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“Aspen, the licensed manufacturer of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in South Africa is committed to accelerating productivity,” said the minister. He added that over 9 million doses will be ordered by April.
The vaccine was developed by Janssen a Belgian division of Johnson & Johnson in collaboration with Beth Israel medical center. It was proved to have an efficacy rate of 72 percent in the US. Meanwhile, South Africa has witnessed over 46,800 deaths and 1.5 million COVID-19 cases.
