7,720,551 total doses administered of Janssen 23,718,577 total doses administered of Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination in South Africa is an ongoing immunisation campaign against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in response to the ongoing pandemic in the country.

[69][70][71] On 7 February 2021, it was announced that the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine did not work well in protecting clinical trial participants from mild or moderate illness caused by the 501.V2 variant.

[81][82] On 17 March 2021, South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) approved the Pfizer–BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for use.

[89][90] On 21 March 2021, South Africa sold and began transporting its 1 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to other African Union Members.

[95][96] On 1 April 2021, the Janssen vaccine received Section 21 Approval (EUA), allowing for use outside of the current Phase III Trial (Sisonke Protocol).

[102][108] On 24 April 2021, Aspen Pharmacare announced that 1.1 million doses of the Janssen vaccine were due for release and to be used by South Africa.

[110][111][112] On 2 May 2021, the government announced that the first 1.1 million doses of the Janssen vaccine would receive an extended safety assessment, in line with international regulators, and stock would be released in mid May.

The trial was expanded to non patient facing health care workers, including administrative and supportive staff due to sufficient capacity and doses.

[120] On 16 May 2021, the third batch of 325,260 doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine arrived at O.R Tambo International Airport via Lufthansa and Astral Aviation.

[122] On 24 May 2021, the fourth and final batch of 325,260 doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine arrived at O.R Tambo International Airport via Lufthansa and Astral Aviation.

[126] On 11 June 2021, the Department of Health and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement on the Janssen vaccine, produced at the Emergent BioSolutions Plant in Baltimore, United States.

They also said that they were in the process of procuring AstraZeneca vaccine due to data that it is efficacious against the Delta variant but were unable to find a supplier with stock.

[173][174] On 15 September 2021, a circular was released to prioritise the Janssen vaccine stock for rural areas, pop up and mobile sites only until the supply stabilises.

[175] On 17 September 2021, the health minister stated that they were currently focussing on vaccinating people 50 years and older but would review the decision to open to under 18s at the end of October.

[176] The Draft implementation of the digital vaccine certificates would be submitted to the national coronavirus command council in 2 weeks and would be rolled out once approved.

[188][189][190][191] On 6 October 2021, the health department confirmed that expiry dates were present on the vaccine certificates due to plans to update the system to increase security and comply with future international standards.

The Ministerial Adversary Committee also recommended a 2nd Jansen shot for all Sisonke trial participants, pending SAHPRA approval.

On 27 November 2021, a circular was released recommending additional doses to all over 18 with any of the listed immunocompromised conditions or undergoing immunosuppressive treatments.

[213] On 17 March 2020, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority announced that it would expedite review of treatments, vaccines and clinical trials.

This trial was completed successfully, it consisted of half a million of South Africa's health workers and Phase I of the vaccine rollout.

[94] On 7 February 2021, the Minister for Health for South Africa suspended the planned deployment of around 1 million doses of the vaccine whilst they examined the data and awaited advice on how to proceed.

[233] Ultimately, around March 2021, the roll-out of Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine in South Africa was cancelled, and the short-dated stock offered to other African countries.

[94] On 7 February 2021, the government suspended the planned deployment of around 1 million doses of the vaccine whilst they examined the data and awaited advice on how to proceed.

[242][243][244][b] On 27 August 2021, the government announced that they were in the process of procuring the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine due to data showing good protection against the Delta variant but were only expecting stock to become available late September/early October.

[159][160] The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has confirmed that it has received documentation for the vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Institute in Russia.

[247] On 16 March 2021, The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for section 21 Emergency Use Authorisation.

[86] A trial ending in March 2021 of the Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine appeared to be highly effective at preventing cases of the Beta variant.

[250] Other African countries have begun the roll out of the Sinopharm BIBP vaccine, including Morocco, Egypt, The Seychelles and Zimbabwe.

[145] On 26 July 2021, the first batch of 1.5 million doses of the Janssen vaccine were cleared for release at Aspens Facility in Port Elizabeth.

[44] On 16 August 2021, the New York Times released a report stating that around 32 million vaccines finished at the Aspens Facility had been exported to countries in Europe.