Question NW1029 to the Minister of Health
04 June 2021 - NW1029
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health
In light of the peer-reviewed study published in the medical journal The Lancet, where trial results showed that the Russian developed COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, has shown an efficacy of 91% and is deemed safe, what are the reasons that he cannot speed-up the procurement of the Sputnik V-vaccine for South African citizens?
Reply:
The Gamaleya Institute is still undergoing investigations into the effectiveness of the Sputnik V in the presence of the 501Y.V2 (B.1.351, or Beta) variant, which is the main circulating strain of COVID-19 in South Africa. The published results do not represent the effectiveness of this vaccine against this variant. Also, concern was raised with regards to the second booster dose which uses the Ad5 vector, where previous work in the Phamibili study showed that using this vector may increase the acquisition of HIV, particularly in males.
The Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 Vaccines has been engaging with the Gameleya Institute to investigate these matters further.
END.