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THE Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe has authorized the use of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine with effect from 25 July 2021. It becomes the first Western vaccine approved for use against the coronavirus in the country.
The vaccine becomes the fifth to be approved for use in the country after the Chinese Sinopharm and Sinovac, the Russian Sputnik V, and the Indian Covaxin
“MCAZ reviewed the technical documentation that was submitted by the manufacturer, and emergency use authorisation was granted and communicated to (the Ministry of Health),” MCAZ spokesman Shingai Gwatidzo said.
He declined to say when Zimbabwe would receive its first J&J shots, adding that the health ministry would confirm the deployment of the vaccines after reviewing requirements for cold chain storage.
So far, more than 1.5 million Zimbabweans have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Most were given China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm shots.
Zimbabwe has so far received more than five million doses from China, including both purchases and donations.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said on Sunday the government had fully paid for a total of 12 million vaccine doses from China.
Previously, the government had turned down a donation of three million doses from the African Union (AU) of the highly potent single dose Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine citing lack of storage facilities. The Finance Ministry permanent secretary George Guvamatanga said a lack of preparedness on storage requirements was the major challenge.
