SAHPRA explains Ramaphosa, Mabuza vaccinations
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) says it approved the vaccination of President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President David Mabuza to assist in encouraging vaccine uptake.
Ramaphosa received the Johnson & Johnson jab on Wednesday at the Khayelitsha District Hospital in Cape Town alongside health minister, Zweli Mkhize.
The 80 000 jabs which arrived on Tuesday are for healthcare workers.
Questions have been raised about politicians receiving the jab that is meant for doctors and nurses.
ALSO READ: J&J vaccine only approved for healthcare workers, warns head of Limpopo Health
"SAHPRA has approved the protocol amendment of the J&J implementation study targeted at Health Care Workers (HCW) for the inclusion of the President and the Deputy President. Whilst they are not classified as HCW, this initiative would assist in encouraging vaccine uptake and reduce vaccine hesitancy.
“The protocol amendment was approved subject to ethics approval obtained before the implementation of this amendment and the additional participants signing an informed consent form before being vaccinated,” indicated SAHPRA CEO, Dr. Boitumelo Semete
On Friday, Limpopo premier Stan Mathabatha launched the provinces vaccine drive but was not vaccinated.
Read here: J&J vaccine only approved for healthcare workers, warns head of Limpopo Health
