SOUTH AFRICA SUSPENDS J&J VACCINE ROLLOUT OVER BLOOD CLOT CONCERNS

Tue 13 April 2021:

South Africa on Tuesday suspended the rollout of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine over potential blood clot risks reported by the United States, the health minister said.

“We have determined to voluntarily suspend our roll-out… I humbly call for calm and patience as we ensure that you will continue to be properly guided by science and ensure the safety of our people as we roll-out the vaccine campaign. We hope that the deliberations will only take a few days, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced in an online press briefing.

Mkhize’s announcement comes after the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended a pause on the issuing of the vaccine over “potentially dangerous’” blood clotting concerns.

US health authorities took the action “out of an abundance of caution”, but J&J has since delayed the rollout of its jab in Europe.

Mkhize said that although no blood clots had been reported among vaccinated citizens in South Africa, the FDA’s advice should not be taken “lightly”.

“We hope that the deliberations will only take a few days,” he added.

“Given the preliminary literature at hand our scientists are confident that the FDA decision is only on a precautionary basis, and we expect that this will not result in the complete withdrawal of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.”

South Africa has vaccinated just under 290,000 health workers since February 17.