J&J vaccine only approved for healthcare workers, warns head of Limpopo Health
The head of the Health Department in Limpopo Thokozani Mhlongo says South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has only approved the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for healthcare workers.
Mhlongo says this means political leaders will not be given priority during the government’s vaccination drive.
Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha launched the province’s inoculation campaign at Mankweng Hospital on Friday.
Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba was the first person in the province to be vaccinated.
But Mathabatha was not allowed as he is not a healthcare worker.
Mhlongo says special concession was made only for President Cyril Ramaphosa.
"What happens is that when the Johnson & Johnson vaccine had to be brought in the country for the purpose of the study. There are certain regulatory frameworks that we had to comply with as a country for us to be able to commence with the study.
“Part of it is there are various bodies that the vaccine must go through and for us to ensure that healthcare workers at least have got early access to the vaccine because it had already been approved in other parts of the world.
"The study is approved for healthcare workers on phase one and this has been a battle. SAHPRA only managed to make special concessions for the president and the Minister of Health and Health MECs."
Mhlongo says traditional leaders in the province will also have to take back seat.
"There are currently issues in terms of leadership of various provinces, both premiers and traditional leaders, giving confidence to the community to say they support this.
“They are raising their hands to say ‘Thuma Mina’, we can take the vaccine to show that there is nothing wrong with this vaccine unfortunately at this point in time we still don't have approval from SAHPRA that order leaders except the president and health minister can take it."
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