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Western Cape Prime Minister Alan Winde says they are devastated by the temporary suspension of vaccines.
- Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo says she’s “bloody mad” after the announcement was made.
- Prime Minister Alan Winde says the province will continue to advance its logistics planning for phase one of the vaccine launch in the meantime.
- The launch of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 injection was temporarily suspended after data indicated that it provided only minimal protection against mild to moderate infection caused by the variant of the coronavirus. 501Y.V2.
The Western Cape Government plans to move forward with logistical planning for phase one launch of the vaccine.
This comes after an announcement by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize that the launch of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 injection will be temporarily suspended after data indicated that it only provided minimal protection against mild to moderate infection caused by the Covid-10 501Y.V2 variant.
Prime Minister Alan Winde said: “Like the rest of South Africa, we are devastated by the news that the launch of the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine has been suspended due to the latest study on its efficacy regarding the 501Y.V2 strain. We are fortunate to have world-class scientists in South Africa and it is important that we listen carefully to their advice on what should be done now. We will await your guidance. ”
Winde said the province will continue to advance its logistics planning for phase one of the vaccine launch in the meantime.
READ | Hit for SA’s Covid-19 fight as AstraZeneca vaccine launch temporarily suspended
“We need to make sure that we are 100% prepared whatever the decision is made about this vaccine. Until we have comprehensive vaccine coverage, it remains important that we all do everything we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones from Covid-19, ”he said.
The Province has been on a mission to ensure that you can purchase your own vaccines.
Last week News24 reported that the province would receive more than 93,000 doses of the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccines: 35,000 doses for healthcare workers in the public sector and 58,584 doses for healthcare workers in the private sector. The Provincial Health Department conducted a site visit last week at Cape Medical Depot, where the vaccines will be stored and distributed.
In a Facebook post, the province’s MEC of Health, Nomafrench Mbombo, shared his personal reaction to the delay, saying he accepted and appreciated the findings.
“I am very angry with those service providers and manufacturers who still persisted in selling SA this AZ (plus other vaccines) but knowingly did not protect us from the variant. We received offers at half price …. They probably knew it was only a medical spill. The variant in South Africa was spotted in late October while many clinical trials were being conducted with the ‘usual’ Covid virus, but throughout November until now, it showed that vaccine trials were not as effective at the variant of serious illness, hospitalization and death. It was unethical for them to continue selling us without being alerted “.
Professor Ian Sanne, member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC), told News24: “Right now everything is up in the air and there are two ongoing processes. We need to give the Health Department time because given the fact that the data was only available a few days ago. I agree that many people are upset and have every right to be upset, and it is crucial that healthcare workers get vaccinated as soon as possible. But we have to understand the science behind it, ”he said.
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