Faizel Patel – 21/03/2021
The Health Department has announced that the Astra Zeneca vaccines acquired by South Africa has been sold.
The rollout of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was put on hold in February after early scientific data revealed that the vaccine offered “minimal protection” against mild disease for people infected with the second variant of the coronavirus discovered at the end of last year.
Clinical trial data from the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine study locally revealed that it had a 22% efficacy against the 501Y.V2 coronavirus variant.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said that at the time that government acquired the vaccines, this clinical trial data had not been concluded.
In a statement, the Health Department says the sale of the Astra Zeneca vaccines has been concluded.
The department says it had to ensure that all member states identified by the AU vaccine acquisition team as recipients of the vaccines, are compliant and have obtained all regulatory approvals, permits and licenses to roll out the vaccines in their respective countries.
“The Minister can confirm that the full purchase amount was received by the Department on Monday last week. The AU and South African teams then ensured that all logistical arrangements are in place for the shipment of the vaccines. The Minister is pleased to announce that the first batch of vaccines that is being delivered will benefit 9 member states.
The department says the balance of the AstraZeneca vaccines will be collected this week to be delivered to 5 other countries.
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