Government is reviewing whether to proceed with planned AstraZeneca vaccine rollout following a new study that has raised questions on the effectiveness of the vaccine on the South African variant of the Covid-19 currently blamed for the surge in cases in Malawi.
Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 Co-Chairperson, Dr. John Phuka, has told Metro Online that a decision on the matter will be made today afternoon.
The development comes barely weeks before the first consignment of the vaccine is due to arrive in the country to help the country fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
South Africa yesterday indicated it will suspend use of the Coronavirus vaccine being developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca after researchers found it provided “minimal protection” against mild to moderate Coronavirus infections caused by the new variant first detected in South Africa.
The study says it is inconclusive on whether the vaccine might work against severe conditions as it is often the case with vaccines.
