South Africa Conditionally Recommends Resuming Janssen Vaccine Administration

Authorities "On Condition of Strengthened Monitoring for Vaccinees at High Risk of Thrombosis"

On February 27, a cargo plane carrying Janssen COVID-19 vaccines arrived at Johannesburg International Airport in South Africa, where personnel are unloading the vaccine shipments. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has conditionally recommended the resumption of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, which had been recently suspended.

On the 17th (local time), SAHPRA issued a statement saying, "We recommend resuming the administration of the Janssen vaccine for COVID-19 prevention under conditions such as enhanced screening and monitoring of participants at high risk of thrombosis."

They also instructed that the risk of thrombosis following vaccination with the vaccine be notified to the vaccine recipients.

South Africa had temporarily suspended the domestic administration of the Janssen vaccine on the 13th, following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s recommendation to pause the vaccine due to the possibility of rare thrombosis side effects.

South Africa had prioritized vaccinating about 300,000 healthcare workers with the Janssen vaccine through the so-called 'Sisonke Study,' a final phase implementation study.

No cases of thrombosis side effects have been reported in South Africa so far.

Zweli Mkhize, Minister of Health, stated, "The entire population, including the President, will be vaccinated through this electronic registration system without discrimination," and recommended that "citizens aged 60 and over register online first for vaccination."

Following healthcare workers, South Africa is expected to begin vaccinating elderly people aged 60 and over as the second phase of vaccination starting next month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.