Zimbabwe Has Approved The Johnson And Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
Zimbabwe has approved the use of the single-dose Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine in the country.
The vaccine becomes the fifth to be approved for use in the country after the Chinese Sinopharm and Sinovac, the Russian Sputnik V and the Indian Covaxin.
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe announced the development that followed an assessment of the vaccine’s efficacy and other factors. Said MCAZ:
Based on the review of the submitted quality, safety and efficacy data and upon performing a benefit-risk assessment thereof, emergency use authorisation has been granted for Ad26.Sars-Cov-S manufactured by Johnson and Johnson. This authorisation was issued on the basis of section 75 of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act (Chapter 15:03).
Barely a month ago, Zimbabwe turned down an allocation of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines which were set to be delivered in August.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, George Guvamatanga said then that Zimbabwe was not ready to receive the shots due to challenges in the country’s cold chain infrastructure.
Early this year, opposition MDC Alliance said the Zimbabwean government, in its endeavour to flatten the Coronavirus curve, must engage other jurisdictions besides China to procure COVID-19 vaccines.
The party also raised concern over the efficacy of the Sinopharm vaccine and urged the government to acquire the Johnson and Johnson vaccine which it said is cheaper.
More: Pindula News; The Herald
