Just In: Government Lifts Suspension of Johnson & Johnson Vaccines
- The South African government has made the decision to lift the ban on Johnson & Johnson vaccines
- The news was announced by acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshaveni earlier today
- The use of Johnson & Johnson vaccines were suspended amid claims that the vaccines were causing blood clots after use
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Acting Minister in Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshaveni announced earlier that the suspension of Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines has been lifted.
Ntshaveni also confirmed that South African scientists reviewed the vaccine and found that it was not harmful despite claims that it was causing blood clots after six patients in the US are said to have developed a rare type of blood clot after being administered the vaccine.
She has announced that the roll-out of the vaccine will continue at a later date when the department is ready. She also added that the pause in the roll-out of the vaccine was part of a necessary precaution to ensure the safe administration of Covid-19 vaccines to South Africans.
Source: Getty Images
News24 reports that Ntshaveni also confirmed that no South African has come forth with blood clot complications at this time and so Cabinet welcomed a recommendation by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority to lift the suspension.
Ntshaveni also added that South African scientists will continue to closely monitor all South Africans who have been vaccinated using Johnson & Johnson vaccinations, eNCA reports.
Briefly News previously reported that on Saturday, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) proposed that the government terminate the pause on the administering of the Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccines, provided that certain conditions are met.
One of these conditions insists on improved screening and monitoring of recipients who pose a high risk of blood clotting. Sahpra stated on Wednesday that there were no significant safety concerns discovered based on recently reviewed data from Johnson & Johnson’s local research study immunising healthcare workers.
Following reports made by IOL, a US panel will gather again next week to discuss whether the halt on the use of the vaccine should remain. This after six people out of the almost seven million people who were vaccinated were discovered to have rare cases of blood clots.
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Source: Briefly News
