
South African health authorities will soon know the effectiveness of a second dose of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine against the Omicron variant.
This, according to professor Glenda Gray, from the South African Medical Research Council.
Gray says healthcare workers who received one dose of the J&J injection, and who picked up breakthrough infections, developed only mild forms of the disease.
Gray says about 218,000 healthcare workers have already gotten a second dose of the J&J injection.
Read the full report here.
Related articles:
- British Government moves forward roll-out of booster doses of Covid-19 vaccines by one month.
- Calls to reduce the price of Covid-19 PCR tests even further.
- Support for the TRIPS Covid-19 waiver starting to gain momentum.
COVID-19 vaccines 💉 are our best shot to stay safe these holidays. Get your vaccine at a vaccination site near you and be protected https://t.co/6NUSwZuERI pic.twitter.com/39Uh6Vl6xZ
— @Discovery_SA (@Discovery_SA) December 15, 2021

The South African-born philanthropist & scientist, Patrick Soon-Shiong says the newly-launched cancer and Covid-19 vaccine initiative will significantly boost South Africa’s capabilities to manufacture its own vaccines.
He launched the initiative late last week and says it will entail a partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the South African Medical Research Council and several South African Universities.
Soon-Shiong says the agreement will enhance the transfer of manufacturing technology for Covid-19 and cancer vaccines.
Follow the full briefing here and read more here.
Related articles:
- WHO: Majority of people who get admitted to hospital for Covid-19 complications are unvaccinated.
- Light at the end of the tunnel for South Africa in its fight against Covid-19 pandemic.
- 17-million South Africans need to be vaccinated by December to reach herd immunity.
[WATCH]: President @CyrilRamaphosa is the guest of honour at an announcement of an initiative ambitious initiative to build capacity for advanced health care in Africa by Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong, founder of the multinational conglomerate, NantWorks LLC. https://t.co/d5s7aq1WR3
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) September 23, 2021
Non-human primate study shows protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge in lung and nasal passages. Special thanks to NIH/NIAID and ASPR/BARDA for their support on this important study. #COVID19 #Vaccine https://t.co/6CwjXonkd4
— ImmunityBio, Inc. (@ImmunityBio) September 17, 2021