Aspen to release first supply of J&J vaccine from Gqeberha
Pharmaceutical company Aspen is expected to release its first batch of Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine from its Gqeberha plant.
The vaccine, which is from a new API in Europe, will be released from Aspen's Eastern Cape manufacturing plant later on Monday.
This comes as the country starts ramping up its Covid-19 vaccination drive, with more than 200 000 people a day being inoculated.
The doses will be distributed across the country.
"Aspen is proud of the role we are playing in producing vaccines for distribution in South Africa, across Africa, and the world," says Aspen CEO Stephen Saad.
"Our ability to produce these vaccines on behalf of Johnson & Johnson builds on our strategic vision of delivering high quality, affordable medicines that improve health outcomes for patients in our own country, continent, and around the world."
Saad says the vaccine will also be distributed to other countries on the continent.
"Supply for Africa and South Africa is particularly rewarding, given the current global inequality in accessing vaccines.
"This represents a big step forward in ensuring that Africa can address its healthcare priorities.
"The manufacture of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine builds on the global contributions we have already made in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic with both our anaesthetics portfolio and dexamethasone supply.”
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