SAHPRA finds no causal relationship between Johnson and Johnson vaccine and blood clot development

Findings from SAHPRA’S Sisonke Phase 3b study suggests there are no major safety concerns related to the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

SAHPRA, together with its scientific expert committees, has reviewed the data from the Sisonke Phase 3b implementation study which involves the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine Janssen, which is also referred to as the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine.

No major safety concerns

Based on the data, no major safety concerns have been identified. No causal relationship between vaccination and the development of blot clots is evident at this stage.

However, following the decision by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to pause the use of the J&J vaccine in that country, SAHPRA met with the Sisonke study team and the manufacturer (Janssen Pharmaceutical) on 13 April 2021. SAHPRA was provided with updated data on the Sisonke study. Further data are being obtained from the manufacturer and the US FDA.

Pause in implementation of the study

SAHPRA has requested a pause in the implementation of the Sisonke study to enable it to review the relevant data and further updates will be communicated in due course. It is envisaged that this process will take a few days.