No reason to doubt vaccines, says top SA scientist
The development of rare blood clots in six women – out of 6.8 million people vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in America – prompted that country and subsequently South Africa to halt its use. However, one of South Africa’s top scientists has assured vaccination sceptics that the benefits far outweigh the risks.
“You have a bigger chance of getting sick and dying of Covid-19 than of developing problems as a result of being vaccinated,” says Professor Glenda Gray, president and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council.
Gray was reacting to renewed scepticism about Covid-19 vaccinations after health officials in the United States called for an immediate pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) single-dose Covid-19 vaccine.
The withdrawal resulted from six women developing a rare and severe form of blood clotting after being vaccinated.
“A type of brain blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, with low levels of blood platelets, was seen in the women, who are between 18 and 48 years of age,” says Gray.
South Africa quickly followed suit, with Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announcing on Tuesday night that the J&J rollout for the Sisonke implementation study would be temporarily suspended, to allow for further investigations.
The move has heightened concerns from sceptics around the world after similar issues caused delays in the distribution of the AstraZeneca vaccine. In fact, some countries have imposed age restrictions on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to evidence linking it to rare blood clots.
South Africa has already administered the J&J vaccine to 290 000 healthcare workers, without any reported complications, and more doses are en route, says Gray.
America administered more than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine before the discovery of the blood clots.
Journalist Izak du Plessis discusses the J&J vaccine developments and other issues surrounding Covid-19 with Gray. Click here to watch the video interview:
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