Latest batch of J&J vaccines still to be cleared after compliance concerns raised
AT LEAST 500 000 Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been secured for teachers, the National Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) said, while the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) said it was awaiting reports from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on whether batches of the J&J vaccine were manufactured according to good manufacturing practices (GMP) standards.
Naptosa president Nkosipendule Ntantala said they had a meeting with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and a briefing from the acting director-general regarding vaccines that had been secured for the education sector.
The 500 000 doses were expected to arrive from the US this past weekend, on June 5, and would undergo testing yesterday. “For now, we have not received confirmation as to whether vaccines have arrived in the country,” Ntantala said.
Sahpra said a concern was identified by the FDA relating to non-compliance with GMP at the Emergent plant in Baltimore during the manufacturing of an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in the vaccine.
The non-compliant batch was rejected and this had led to the investigation of four more batches.
Until the FDA has shared these reports, Sahpra said it had insufficient information to approve specific batches of the vaccine.
“Sahpra is in continuous discussion with the FDA to ensure that this matter is resolved speedily. Sahpra will take all the necessary steps to ensure that the vaccines that are administered to South Africans meet all the requisite stringent standards,” said Sahpra chief executive Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela.
Meanwhile, 94 923 health workers have been vaccinated to date against the projection of 137 000 health workers in the province, with some having
“The council resolved that in terms of the investigation report, a prima facie case of serious misconduct in the form of sexual harassment has been established.
“It was also resolved to institute disciplinary proceedings against the municipal manager due to the alleged misconduct being deemed to be of a serious nature.
“It was resolved that the council intends to suspend the municipal manager pending the finalisation of the outcome of the disciplinary matter,” the statement read.
“The municipal manager has seven days in terms of which to provide written representation to the council on why he should not be suspended.
“The manager will remain on special leave pending the outcome of council’s decision concerning his suspension,” the statement added.
The municipality’s community safety executive manager, Colin Puren, has been appointed as acting municipal manager pending the outcome of the disciplinary process.