CDC panel meeting in the US, South Africa is resuming the J&J vaccine

South Africa will resume administering the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine to health care workers after temporarily suspending its use last week amid concerns over rare instances of blood clots.

Acting Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said Thursday that South Africa took a “precautionary measure” when it suspended the vaccination program last week, following a similar move by the U.S.

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a joint statement calling for a temporary halt in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, after six cases of blood clots were discovered in the more than 6.8 million people who had been inoculated.

Ntshavheni added that South Africa’s “temporary suspension” was in line with its “commitment to ensure that comprehensive safety measures are undertaken regarding the vaccine rollout.”

She said reviewed data confirmed that South Africa had not experienced any of the blood clots.