South Africa's first delivery of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrived at the OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng on Tuesday evening.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize shared images of the arriving cargo plane on social media at 23:17pm.

According to a statement released by the government on Tuesday, the consignment was moved to a secure facility in Gauteng before being distributed overnight to the vaccine centres in all provinces.

The vaccine has been approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, the statement stated.

"Government remains committed to saving lives and protecting livelihoods. All citizens are reminded that adhering to health protocols together with the vaccine remains our best defence against the virus," the statement read.