The National Department of Health confirmed that it will not roll out the new Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine right now.  And even though the approval from the South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA) is welcome, the new kid on the block would not make an appearance just yet.

Health Ministry spokesperson, Foster Mohale, said this latest development doesn’t translate into immediate procurement decisions.

The regulatory body announced yesterday that it had registered the BBIBP vaccine, more commonly known as Sinopharm, which is manfactured in China. It was given the green light based on “acceptable safety, quality and efficacy data”.

Decisions based on need

“Our decisions are informed by the need. Currently, we have enough stock of Pfizer and J&J which can last us for the next few months. We have to avoid wastage in the form of expiry,” said Mohale.

The Sinopharm COVID-19 double dose jab is an inactivated Vero Cell vaccine. An inactivated vaccine is made from the virus that has been killed through a chemical or physical process. The vaccine exposes the body’s immune system to the virus without risking a serious disease response.

Sinopharm has been approved for those aged 18 years and older.  One of its main advantages is that it can be stored in a standard refrigerator at between two and eight degrees. Like the other COVID-19 vaccines, pain at the injection site, headaches, tiredness, and muscle pain are some of the common side effects. 

Vaccine stock

Mohale said that once their current stock runs out, they will discuss their options.

“Once we run out of stock, we will choose how to proceed because we don’t currently mix vaccines,” he said. “If we were to get stock of new vaccines, the primary and booster shoot should be administered using the same type of vaccines to minimise side effects.” 

Registration of vaccines

SAHPRA also registered Pfizer’s COVID-19 Comirnaty vaccine for individuals over the age of 12, which has up until now, been dispensed under emergency use authorisation. 

Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, SAHPRA CEO, said the authority will continue to protect the SA public at all times.

“The registration of these vaccines is a vast stride as SAHPRA plays its role in the fight against COVID-19. SAHPRA will continue to play its part in ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of all health products,” he said. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the clinical trial found that the vaccine’s efficacy was 95%. 

The authorisation of the two vaccines was subject to a number of conditions, including that the manufacturers report the results of ongoing studies to the regulator. It must also be supplied and administered in accordance with the national COVID-19 vaccination programme and guidelines. – Health-e News