The benefits outweigh the risks: Prof Madhi on J&J vaccine

JOHANNESBURG - Professor of Vaccinology at the University of the Witwatersrand Shabir Madhi said the benefits of using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine far outweigh the risks.

He says while pausing the clinical trial is justified, the vaccine should be rolled out.

READ: SA suspends J&J vaccine rollout over blood clot concerns

The trial was halted while the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority examines data on a possible link between the jab and a rare blood clot disorder.

"The decision by the government to pause the J&J vaccine needs to be contextualised in that the vaccine is used as a clinical trial. In this clinical trial, the participants need to always to informed of any risks.

READ: COVID-19 vaccine: No rare blood clots detected in SA

"There's been a pause on the clinical trial which is justified because investigators need to do the necessary paperwork.

"As the J&J arrives tomorrow, I think it would be a huge miscalculation not to immediately start the use of the vaccine.

"SA is one of the countries where there is still a significant amount of the transmission of the virus and the risk-benefit ratio is in favour of continuing the vaccination program rather than delaying the use of the vaccine."