Question NW1221 to the Minister of Health
21 April 2022 - NW1221
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
With reference to the Auditor-General’s presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Health, wherein it was noted that Johnson & Johnson’s delivery rate for vaccines was at 30% in August 2021, what is the (a) reason for the delay in delivering vaccines from Johnson & Johnson and (b) current delivery rate?
Reply:
a) The delivery of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was delayed in April/May 2021. The reason for this delay is related to an FDA inspection at Emergent BioSolutions Bayview facility, one of the manufacturing partners of Johnson & Johnson.
This had an impact on the global supply of Johnson & Johnson vaccines, including for South Africa.
b) The current delivery is 63% of total contracted volume. However, it should be noted that the NDOH requested that deliveries be delayed because demand has reduced and there is limited storage at the central warehouses. The advantage of this approach is that new doses when they do arrive have better expiry dates and the risk of wastage is reduced.
END.