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variants of concernlatest news & developments
The US and South African medicines regulators have faced legal challenges regarding information used to review and approve Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine. (Guillem Sartorio/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
B 1 1 529 VARIANT

New Covid-19 variant is a concern as cases show a sharp increase in Gauteng

Some 22 positive cases of the B.1.1.529 variant have been confirmed in South Africa, as Covid-19 cases increase in Gauteng, the North West and Limpopo

  • Eunice Masson
3 min read
The US and South African medicines regulators have faced legal challenges regarding information used to review and approve Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine. (Guillem Sartorio/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
ADJUSTED LEVEL FOUR LOCKDOWN

Rise of the variants: What you need to know about the Delta variant in SA

SA’s lockdown regulations are tightening to better curb the spread of Covid-19, amid concerns that the Delta variant could drive a surge of infections

  • Aisha Abdool Karim
13 min read
Targeting the vulnerable: A healthcare worker rests in the hall where people 60 years and old are getting vaccinated with Pfizer vaccines, at Bertha Gxowa Hospital in Germiston. The developing world won’t reach herd immunity any time soon. (Photo: Michele Spatari/AFP)
ASTRAZENECA
Video

South Africa’s not reaching herd immunity. Our new goal is containment

South Africa’s stop-start roll-out is not the only reason herd immunity is unrealistic for 2021. A constrained vaccine supply and new variants also play a role

  • Bhekisisa Team
12 min read
Sister Merinda Ludick was one of the first people in the country to receive the vaccine on 17 February. The wider vaccine roll-out is scheduled to begin in the middle of May. (Photo by Gallo Images/Die Burger/Lulama Zenzile)
501Y V2 VARIANT

Covid vaccine: Six things you need to know about the jabs

SA is on the verge of rolling out Covid-19 vaccines, but can we vaccinate children and pregnant women, and which jabs work against the 501Y.V2 variant?

  • Mia Malan
  • Gopolang Makou
13 min read