South African health inspectors will not release unsuitable J&J vaccines
South African health inspectors on Sunday said they will not release Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines that may have been contaminated during production at a US plant.
Vials labelled Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine and syringe are seen in front of displayed Johnson & Johnson logo in this illustration taken, February 9, 2021. Reuters/Dado Ruvic/File PhotoThe South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) said it made the decision after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised concerns over manufacturing practices at the Baltimore plant. Sahpra reviewed the data provided by the FDA and has made a decision not to release vaccine produced using the drug substance batches that were not suitable,” Sahpra said in a statement.
As outbreaks of coronavirus variants of concern pop up across the country, Canada's chief public health officer is again touting COVID-19 vaccines as the main weapon to battle them.
South African health inspectors on Sunday said they will not release Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines that may have been contaminated during production at a U.S. plant.
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There is still no word on when a safety audit by the US Food and Drug Administration will be complete a requirement before the Johnson & Johnson vaccines that were compounded and finished at the Gqeberha-based plant of Aspen Pharmacare can be released into South Africa’s vaccination programme.
South Africa is relying on the delivery of 31 million doses of the single-shot vaccine for its rollout plans. The vaccine has been approved for use by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), with an advisory issued for pregnant and lactating women.
The only other Covid-19 vaccine approved for use in South Africa, and procured by the government is the one made by Pfizer. South Africa has managed to get 30 million doses of this vaccine, but since it requires two shots, there will only be enough for 15 million people.