The first batch of 325 260 doses were taken to a central warehouse, where samples will be sent to the National Control Laboratory for quality assurance and, after that – will be distributed to the provinces.

The same number of doses are expected 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 accumulating to 4,5 million doses by the end of June.

The department of health says doses of the Johnson and Johnson covid-19 vaccine are awaiting dispatch in Gqeberha and are expected to be released around the middle of this month.

This is due to a protracted safety verification process, with international regulatory agencies such as the FDA, EMA and SAHPRA.

Minister Zweli Mkhize says this is a precautionary measure following the adverse findings during inspection of Emergent BioSolutions Bayview facility in the United States, which prompted the authorities to extend their assessments of all Johnson and Johnson stock worldwide. These assessments are still underway.

Media Statement: Update on Status of Delivery of Market Doses of Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson. pic.twitter.com/V64JGPJFll

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) May 2, 2021