Above: a sign in the back of a car on the N1 Freeway, Cape Town<\/p>\n
-> Government says drugmakers should delay sending doses<\/p>\n
-> South Africa has fully innoculated about 35% of adults to date<\/p>\n
South Africa asked\u00a0Johnson & Johnson<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Pfizer Inc.<\/a>\u00a0to suspend delivery of Covid-19 vaccines as it now has enough stock, an illustration of how plunging demand is undermining the country\u2019s rollout ahead of a potential fourth wave of infections.<\/p>\n Africa\u2019s most developed economy has fully protected just 35% of adults, more than six months after doses were first made available to the public. About 120,000 people received shots on Tuesday, less than half the daily peak.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have over 16 million doses in country, or more than 150 days at present consumption,\u201d Nicholas Crisp, deputy director-general of the Department of Health, said by text message Wednesday. \u201cIt makes no sense to stockpile and risk expiry when others are desperate for supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n The move contrasts with the country\u2019s position earlier in the year, when the government was heavily criticized for being slow to secure vaccines ahead of a devastating mid-year surge. It also comes as most of Africa remains chronically short of doses, partly because richer countries rushed to tie up vast quantities of stock.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is entirely owing to hesitancy,\u201d Crisp said. \u201cWe have plenty vaccine and capacity but hesitancy is a challenge. Unfortunately it means that many unvaccinated people may have an unhappy festive season and will possibly result in hospitals being congested.\u201d<\/p>\nHesitancy Challenge<\/strong><\/h2>\n