Worth noting that the JJ vaccine (which is similar) showed 89% efficacy against severe disease (hospitalization) wrt the SA variant. So - it's very likely that all vaccines will prevent healthcare systems getting stressed and significant excess mortality. Additionally if the vaccines are retarding the viral loads (it seems likely) then they should reduce transmission.
...which means that the optimal strategy is still go ahead with the Oxford-AstraZeneca phase 3 trial DESPITE these disappointing results, because they don't have another vaccine in SA and they really need to reduce hospitalizations and transmissability.
Unfortunately, the vaccine review system is not setup to allow such nuanced approvals.
I wouldn't be surprised if that's what SA does; the health minister kind of signaled that it may be resumed. I'm sure they're at least considering it. Normal approval processes for vaccines are getting modified all over the place, nowadays.
