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The release of that particular vaccine has been frozen for the time being after the first data showed that the AstraZeneca inoculation provided minimal protection against mild to moderate infection caused by the dominant variant.
FILE: Vaccines arriving from India are loaded onto a truck at OR Tambo International Airport on February 1, 2021 before being taken to a safe location for quality checks. Image: GCIS
CAPE TOWN – Wits University professor Shabir Madhi said it would be unwise for South Africa to dismiss the AstraZeneca blows.
The release of that particular vaccine has been frozen for now.
Early data show that AstraZeneca inoculation provided minimal protection against mild to moderate infection caused by the dominant variant.
READ: SA halts launch of AstraZeneca vaccine on efficacy against second variant
Some provinces were preparing to start vaccinating their health workers this week, but the program has stalled.
Madhi said scientists needed more time to interrogate the data.
READ MORE: Effective J&J Vaccine Against COVID-19 Variant – Glenda Gray
“I think it would be very unwise of us to discard the vaccine. We pay a high price for it, so vaccines have a role in protecting against serious diseases. I think an important characteristic of all vaccines is that, in general, vaccines work much better to prevent serious diseases. “
And time might be limited, it was only recently discovered that the first million jabs currently in the country will expire in two months.
Madhi said there were other options to put the vaccine to good use.
“If we are strategic in terms of implementation, we may still be able to use the vaccine, not two doses per individual, but at least a single dose and we could possibly stick with another vaccine and some vaccines that could be online in the next two or more. three months “.
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