Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines intended for South Africa remain suspended following a US ruling that ingredients for the country\u2019s doses may have been contaminated during production in a plant in Baltimore.<\/p>\n
The US Food and Drug Administration said Friday that some batches of the J&J version were not fit to use, while others are still under review. Two lots have been approved, though it\u2019s not clear where those are headed or how many that covers.<\/p>\n
South Africa is heavily reliant on the J&J vaccine to meet a target of inoculating two-thirds of its 60 million population this year, having ordered more than 31 million of the single-dose shot.<\/p>\n
Aspen Pharmacara, Africa\u2019s largest drugmaker, has a contract to fill and package the doses at a factory in the coastal town of Gqebherha, until recently known as Port Elizabeth.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe vaccines awaiting distribution from the Gqebherha plant need further assessment by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority,\u201d the country\u2019s ministry of health said in a statement.<\/p>\n
That will determine \u201cif they are suitable for use in South Africa. There is now a real possibility that they may not be, however this is for the regulator to rule on,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
To compensate, 300,000 J&J doses are cleared to be shipped to South Africa \u201cas a matter of extreme urgency,\u201d the ministry said.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the drugmaker has agreed a contract to supply the vaccine to the country and will therefore need to honour that in time.<\/p>\n
The news still marks a major setback in South Africa\u2019s vaccine rollout — just as a\u00a0third wave\u00a0of infections is gathering pace.<\/p>\n
The government has been heavily criticized for delays in ordering doses, and inoculations to the general public only began in mid-May.<\/p>\n