Following a scientific data release on Sunday 7 February that the vaccine that arrived in South Africa a week ago “offered minimal protection against mild disease for people affected with the second variant of the coronavirus”, health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announced that a team of experts would give guidance on the way forward.
The government also discovered that the vaccine that arrived last week will expire sooner than expected.
The national health department said that the first batch of 1,5 million AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in the country with an April expiry date. The expiry date was only picked up upon arrival of the vaccines in the country.
Dr Anban Pillay, the health department’s deputy director-general, said that they were addressing the issue. He said the department is speaking to the Serum Institute of India enquire about an extension of the date or an exchange of stock.
The country is waiting for the response on the issue.