Cabinet approves use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Cabinet confirms in a statement that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will now be used instead of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has been found to be only 22% effective against the new strain of the Covid-19 virus that was first identified in South Africa.

“This change follows the comprehensive research conducted by medical scientists which showed that AstraZeneca had minimal efficacy against the COVID-19 501Y.V2 variant. 

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has proven effective against the 501Y.V2 variant that is predominantly found in the country,” reads the statement by acting Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. 

The approval by Cabinet paves the way for the Department of Health to continue with its roll-out, planned for next week.

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Yesterday, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize told the media that the campaign would be finalised as soon as Cabinet gives its approval to use the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

South Africa’s more than 1.2 million frontline health care workers are now urged to get ready for their jabs. 

Meanwhile, the cabinet has also approved the extension of the National State of Disaster for another month.

This is the Act that allows for the Covid-19 lockdown to be in place.

These regulations were to expire on the 15th of  February and will now be extended for another month.