First Pfizer batches to arrive in SA, Sunday night

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced that the first batches of Pfizer vaccines will land at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday evening, 2 May.

Mkhize confirmed in a statement on Sunday that 325, 260 doses will arrive at 11.45pm.

“Upon arrival, the entire batch will be transported initially to a central warehouse. Samples will be sent to the National Control Laboratory for quality assurance and, after release, will be distributed to the provinces.

“Following this initial delivery of Pfizer we are expecting approximately the same number of doses, ie 325,260, to arrive on a weekly basis to a total of over 1.3 million doses by the end of May. Thereafter the vaccine supply will increase to an average of 636,480 doses weekly from 31 May which will see us accumulating close to 4.5 million doses by the end of June.”

In regards to the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, the health minister said they have received communication that the doses are “dispatch in Gqeberha are expected to be released around the middle of May.”

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This is because of the protracted safety verification process with international regulatory agencies such as FDA, EMA and SAHPRA). A precautionary measure after the findings during inspection of Emergent BioSolutions Bayview facility in the United States of America, one of the manufacturing partners of Johnson and Johnson, which prompted the authorities to extend their assessments of all Johnson and Johnson stock worldwide, the minister said.

“We are confident that the final outcome will be positive and that, provided there are no further disruptions, Johnson and Johnson will be in a position to release the stock from the Aspen plant in Gqeberha by the middle of May. The stock is currently finished and ready for dispatch.”

The vaccination of healthcare workers will continue with the Johnson and Johnson vaccines received earlier this year through the Sisonke Protocol. Mkhize called on healthcare workers and citizens over the age of 60 including traditional healers to register to get vaccinated.