An arrangement whereby Johnson & Johnson (J&J) was shipping to Europe Covid-19 vaccine doses that were being packaged in South Africa has been suspended, African Union (AU) envoy Strive Masiyiwa has said.

The shots, according to Reuters, packaged by J&J's South African partner Aspen and already sent to Europe would be returned, Masiyiwa added at a news conference organised by the AU's disease control body.