Zimbabwe add Johnson and Johnson to vaccine basket

by | Jul 28, 2021 | COVID 19 | 0 comments

Mako Jerera

Zimbabwe has approved the emergency use of the single dose Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine.
After the Sinopharm, Sinovac, the Russian Sputnik V and the Indian Covaxin, the vaccine becomes the fifth to be approved for use in the country.

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) had only registered vaccines from India, Russia and China.
In a statement today, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe said they are satisfied with the safety of the vaccine.

“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),” MCAZ said.

Zimbabwe is within the grip of a third wave of infections, with nearly half of its 101,711 cumulative cases and 3,280 deaths recorded this month alone.

“MCAZ reviewed the technical documentation that was submitted by the manufacturer, and emergency use authorisation was granted and communicated to (the Ministry of Health),” MCAZ spokesman Shingai Gwatidzo said.

He declined to say when Zimbabwe would receive its first J&J shots, adding that the health ministry would confirm the deployment of the vaccines after reviewing requirements for cold chain storage.

Most Zimbabweans were given China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm shots.
So far Zimbabwe has procured more than five million doses from China.

The country is expected to receive 5 million more shots under an African Union vaccine procurement facility after making a $7.5 million deposit, while another 1.15 million doses would be delivered under the COVAX global vaccine distribution programme.