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Researchers have not assessed whether the AstraZeneca vaccine protects against severe COVID-19, and the South African government is consulting with experts on how to proceed with the million doses it has already received.
“The country considered its proximity to South Africa. We estimated that the variant might already be in the country. We will no longer use the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine,” Minister Lizzie Nkosi said in an interview with the local television.
“The change will mean the government will be in talks with other suppliers,” she added, indicating that eSwatini would consider doses of Pfizer or any other vaccine approved by the WHO.
AstraZeneca’s chief executive on Tuesday said his company believes its vaccine should still protect against severe COVID-19. The Anglo-Swedish firm said earlier that it was adapting its vaccine to the 501Y.V2 variant.
eSwatini hoped to receive enough vaccine free for 20% of its 1.3 million people through the COVAX facility and wanted to purchase additional doses for the rest of its population through COVAX or other sources.
It has recorded more than 16,000 cases of COVID-19 during the pandemic and 610 deaths.
Its Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini died in a South African hospital in December after testing positive for COVID-19.
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