Cabinet has reassured citizens that the vaccination programme is still on track after the country halted its rollout plan o AstraZeneca.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Johnson & Johnson vaccine will now be used instead of the AstraZeneca vaccine,\u201d Cabinet said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The Executive has once again reiterated that the change of plan follows comprehensive research conducted by medical scientists, which showed that AstraZeneca had a minimal efficacy against the 501Y.V2 variant.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has proven effective against the 501Y.V2 variant, which is predominately found in the country.<\/p>\n
Cabinet has since commended the work of scientists and researchers, who made the breakthrough on the efficacy of the vaccines against the 501Y.V2 variant.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis affirms the country\u2019s well-established scientific capability that is recognised the world over.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the statement, the procurement of the AstraZeneca vaccine was based on its proven efficacy before the discovery of the 501Y.V2 variant in the country.<\/p>\n
Cabinet has already repeated the words of Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, who said the University of Oxford\u2019s AstraZeneca consignment received from the Serum Institute of India on 1 February 2021 has not expired and is within the period of the rollout of the first phase of the vaccination programme.<\/p>\n
Cabinet has expressed confidence on the planned vaccine rollout that will commence with the more than 1.2 million frontline healthcare workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Department of Health, working with National Treasury, will continue to procure more vaccines to ensure the country achieves its population immunity.\u201d<\/p>\n