Close to 20 countries on the Continent will benefit from the million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine that South Africa decided against using, in favor of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

According to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, the 85% efficacy of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine against the mutant variant was best suited to South Africa in its efforts to contain the virus which has so far killed more than 49,000 people.

Mkhize pointed out that the AstraZeneca vaccine has limited efficacy against mild and moderate illnesses caused by the dominant Covid-19 variant in his country.

South Africa has therefore decided to sell and not share as previously announced its million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to the African Union.

The health minister made this known while briefing South Africa’s parliament earlier this week.