South Africa suspends Covid-19 vaccination

South Africa has suspended the Covid-19 vaccination in the country over concerns of  AstraZeneca's efficacy with regard to the virus' new variant. 

World Health Organisation (WHO) experts are to meet on Monday in Geneva to examine the shot and determine the vaccine's efficacy for over-65s.

According to a trial conducted by the University of Witatersrand in Johannesburg, AstraZeneca provides only "minimal" protection against mild to moderate Covid-19 caused by the variant that was first detected in South Africa. 

Therefore, the government of South Africa, the most affect nation by the pandemic, has opted to hold off the vaccine distribution in light of the trial results. 

This is a major setback for many poorer nations relying on the logistical advantages of the AstraZeneca jab as they might be disadvantaged in the global fight against the pandemic. 

The South African government has however stated that the move to suspend the vaccination roll out is temporary. 

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize told reporters stated, "It's a temporary issue that we have to hold on AstraZeneca until we figure out these issues." 

He added that the country will keep the 1.5 million AstraZeneca vaccines it obtained until scientists give clear indications on their use. The vaccines will expire in April. 

Speaking to AFP, AstraZeneca stated, "We do believe our vaccine will still protect against severe disease."

According to the company spokesperson, researchers were already working to update the vaccine to counter the South African variant, which has been spreading rapidly around the world.

Concerns over the efficacy of the AstraZeneca shot among over-65s had already emerged, with a number of European nations not authorising it yet for that demographic.

Despite the AstraZeneca setback, vaccine rollouts in other countries are continuing in the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed over 2.3 million lives globally out of about 106 million known infections.