'Ministry should've consulted further on J&J jab' : SAMA
Health officials should have consulted with more scientists before pausing the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine rollout.
That's the view of the South African Medical Association.
It's reacted to last night's announcement by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize that the use of the jab would be halted following an advisory by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Six women in the US are said to have developed blood clots after getting the J&J shot.
One of them has died while another is in critical condition.
Over 292 000 healthcare workers in South Africa have received the J&J vaccine.
READ: IFP wants urgent parliamentary debate on ‘slow’ vaccination drive
Vice-chairperson of SAMA Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa believes government jumped the gun in suspending the rollout.
"We do not think at the moment we should be worried about that. Because even in the US we are talking about one person in a million.
"So we do think that they should have had this meeting - maybe this decision was going to be informed by other factors that would have been raised by scientists but as far as we know we do not have cases.
"SAPHRA has the data in South Africa and on top of that the FDA is not our government agent that we should be making decisions based on their pronouncement."
South Africa is expecting a consignment of J&J vaccines this week and others in the coming months after securing 30 million doses from the company.
