South Africa has received the first batch of Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines.

The government said the vaccine would be stored at a secure location in Gauteng province and then distributed to other provinces.

The country's vaccination rollout is expected to begin soon.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize tweeted photos of the arrival of the first batch:

The country had received AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines but halted its rollout after doubts over its efficacy against a variant prevalent in South Africa.

But the World Health Organization's vaccine experts have said even countries which have the coronavirus mutation first discovered in South Africa should use the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) also recommends use of the vaccine.