Madagascar To 'Wait And See' Over AstraZeneca Jabs

Madagascar will “wait and see” how the Covid-19 AstraZeneca jab vaccination roll-out fares elsewhere before procuring any itself, the country’s health minister has announced.

“Several countries have decided to suspend the use of vaccines because of the side effects,” Jean Louis Rakotovao said on national television on Tuesday.

“It would be too hasty to make a decision now. The risks and benefits should be assessed first," the minister said.

Unlike some other African countries, Madagascar has chosen not to join the Covax vaccine sharing, despite being listed as eligible by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Meanwhile the country continues to distribute Covid-Organics, a locally made herbal tonic marketed as a prevention and remedy, but which has not been proven to work by clinical trials.