South Africa will no longer send J&J vaccines to Europe, AU envoy says

The association was reversed partially resulting from interventions from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, and French President Emmanuel Macron, Masiyiwa mentioned in a Thursday press briefing.

Masiyiwa mentioned Europe’s von der Leyen additionally dedicated to sending the J&J vaccines, which have been packaged by J&J’s South African associate firm Aspen, again to African nations.

“All of the vaccines produced at Aspen will keep in Africa and shall be distributed to Africa,” Masiyiwa mentioned.

“All vaccines from that facility are below the management now of the South African authorities, which has dedicated that these vaccines will go to Africa.”

Cargo marred by criticism

The deliberate cargo of the J&J vaccine to Europe had sparked outrage amongst well being activists in Africa who criticized the association, citing the sluggish vaccination charges within the continent when in comparison with Europe which had a lot greater uptake of Covid vaccines.

Solely 3 % of Africa’s greater than 1 billion folks have been totally vaccinated in opposition to Covid-19 — a pointy distinction from Europe, the place 57 % have acquired a full course of vaccination, the World Well being Group says.

Many African international locations will doubtless be unable to immunize as much as 10 % of their most susceptible populations by September, the WHO said.

The African Union has bought 400 million doses of the J&J vaccine, which Masiyiwa mentioned shall be distributed throughout the continent between now and September 2022.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is very valued in Africa due to its single-dose vaccination model and suppleness in storage and transport.

“As well as, the Europeans dedicated to offer us 200 million doses earlier than the top of December,” Masiyiwa added.