Africa-Press-South-Africa<\/p>\n
Cape Town \u2013 As South Africa switches shots from the AstraZeneca vaccine to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, some experts say the country should still pursue its initial option because the two vaccines are not so different.<\/p>\n
Professor Shabir Madhi from the University of the Witwatersrand and lead investigator in the South African trial of AstraZeneca’s vaccine says the shot will still be effective against severe Covid-19 infection.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe AstraZeneca vaccine is almost identical to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in terms of the technology and the immune response. Biologically, it is highly plausible that the vaccine will work the same when tested in the same conditions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe vaccines were captured in very different populations and they were captured in different conditions. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine mainly tested for moderate and severe disease. The AstraZeneca vaccine is mainly tested for mild infection. Both of them will probably not work for mild infection, but both of them will probably work for severe disease.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Department of Health said in an online briefing on Sunday the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine which had been scheduled to begin in the country this month is now on temporary hold. A study showed the vaccine gave minimal protection against mild-to-moderate infection caused by the country’s dominant coronavirus variant.<\/p>\n
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Cabinet reassured South Africans the vaccine rollout remains on track and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine would be used instead of the AstraZeneca vaccine.<\/p>\n
Health Ombudsman says J&J vaccine is safe
\nThe Health Ombudsman has reassured South Africans that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is safe. Healthcare workers are due to get the jab next week following a temporary halt to the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Ombudsman Professor Malegapuru Makgoba’s mandate right now is to protect South Africans in matters of health. He spoke to eNCA and he says there…
\neNCA \u201cThis change follows the comprehensive research conducted by medical scientists which showed that the AstraZeneca had a minimal efficacy against the Covid-19 501Y.V2 variant. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has proven effective against the 501Y.V2 variant that is predominantly found in the country.<\/p>\n
At the same time, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) said during an online World Health Organization (WHO) press briefing the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweighed any risks and the shot should be recommended for use, including in people aged 65 and older.<\/p>\n
According to a WHO statement: \u201cSAGE has reviewed all available data on the performance of the vaccine in the settings of variants of concern. SAGE currently recommends the use of AZD1222 vaccine according to the WHO Prioritization Roadmap, even if virus variants are present in a country. Countries should assess the risks and benefits taking into consideration their epidemiological situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
80,000 doses of J&J vaccine expected next week
\nGood news in the fight against COVID-19. Eighty-thousand doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will arrive next week. The company will send more batches soon after that. J&J says it will initially focus on supplying 17 hospitals. Courtesy #DStv403
\neNCA
\nHere\u2019s how the AstraZeneca vaccine and the Johnson and Johnson vaccine compare:<\/p>\n
AstraZeneca:<\/p>\n
Is a two-dose regimen, 4 weeks apart
\n22% efficacy in South Africa
\nClinical trial from Wits University examined 2 000 volunteers where the median age was 31. Vaccine found to offer limited protection against B.1.351 variant
\nViral vector vaccine technology that uses a genetically modified and harmless version of a common cold viral vector (known as an adenovirus) from chimpanzees.
\nCan be kept in regular refrigerators between 2\u00b0C and 8\u00b0C
\nJohnson and Johnson vaccine:<\/p>\n
One-dose regime
\n57% efficacy in South Africa and proven to work against B.1.351 variant
\nTrial with participants from the United States, Latin America and South Africa had 44 325 people enrolled and overall efficacy was 85% effective in preventing severe disease and hospitalisation.<\/p>\n
J&J\u2019s vaccine uses the same type of \u201cviral-vector\u201d technology that\u2019s used in the shot developed by AstraZeneca.<\/p>\n
Can also be kept in regular refrigerators between 2\u00b0C and 8\u00b0C
\nThe Johnson and Johnson vaccine will not be produced in South Africa by Aspen Pharmacare in Port Elizabeth, however, the company is one of six sites globally responsible for putting the vaccine into vials and packaging the jabs for distribution.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ability to do a fill and finish, helps South Africa gain access to any other vaccines,\u201d said Madhi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Africa-Press-South-Africa Cape Town \u2013 As South Africa switches shots from the AstraZeneca vaccine to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, some experts say the country should still pursue its initial option because the two vaccines are not so different. Professor Shabir Madhi from the University of the Witwatersrand and lead investigator in the South African trial […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":3996,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3],"tags":[315],"class_list":["post-4301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-community","tag-africa-press-south-africa"],"yoast_head":"\n