Health Department to add Sinovac, AstraZeneca to SA’s vaccine arsenal
The Department of Health says it has been advised to add China’s Sinovac as well as the AstraZeneca vaccine, to the country’s Covid-19 arsenal.
Briefing the media on Friday, new Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the suggestion was made by the vaccine ministerial advisory committee.
“After that presentation it was also approved that within our arsenal we must also include the Sinovac vaccine, which has been conditionally approved by South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra).
“But also that the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has now been shown to be effective against the Delta variant, should also look at bringing back into use. Of course there is some work that still needs to be done in terms of the regulatory aspect of AstraZeneca vaccine.”
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The use of AstraZeneca in South Africa was halted earlier this year following concern over blood clotting.
It is one of the approved Covid-19 vaccines in South Africa.
Similarly, the use of the Sinovac was given the green light by Sahpra last month on condition that final clinical study results be released to the regulator.
