Aspen-Confirms-Release-Of-JJ-Vaccines

Aspen Said It Would Be Releasing The First Supplies Of The Johnson And Johnson Covid19 Vaccine From The New API Source In Europe On Monday.

By Shadley Nash

Aspen Said It Would Be Releasing The First Supplies Of The Johnson And Johnson Covid19 Vaccine From The New API Source In Europe On Monday. The company said the roll-out from its Gqeberha facility represented a significant landmark for South Africa and the African continent.

“These vaccines will be further distributed throughout South Africa in line with the various distribution arrangements between Johnson & Johnson, the National Department of Health, and other stakeholders,” Aspen said. “In addition, vaccines from these batches will be made available through the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team/African Union platform.”

Aspen said, “this represents a significant landmark for South Africa and the African continent as these are the first COVID-19 vaccines to be produced on the African continent, by an African producer for South African and African patients.” Supplies will also be made to the European Union and other offshore markets. Group Chief Executive, Stephen Saad, said they were proud of the role that they playing in producing vaccines for distribution in South Africa, across Africa, and the world.

“Our ability to produce these vaccines on behalf of Johnson & Johnson builds on our strategic vision of delivering high quality, affordable medicines that improve health outcomes for patients in our own country, continent and around the world,” he said. Saad said supply for Africa and South Africa was particularly rewarding, given the current global inequality in accessing vaccines.

“This represents a big step forward in ensuring that Africa can address its healthcare priorities,” he said. “The manufacture of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine builds on the global contributions we have already made in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic with both our anaesthetics portfolio and dexamethasone supply.”

This news was originally published at Algo AFM.