The National Department of Health has announced changes to the vaccination programme as part of ongoing efforts to increase uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in South Africa.
The changes, which have been guided by scientific evidence,
include the reduction of the time interval between the first and second doses
of Pfizer from 42 days to 21 days, with effect from Wednesday
“Firstly, all individuals who are fully vaccinated with
Pfizer vaccine, meaning they have received both doses, will now be eligible for
booster dose 90 days (or three months) after the second dose, instead of the
current 180 days (or six months) interval.
“Secondly, all individuals older than 18 years of age who
have received one dose of the COVID-19 J&J vaccine will, with effect from
today (Monday, 21 February 2022) be eligible to receive a booster dose of the
same vaccine or a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine after an interval of two
months (60 days),” the department said in a staement.
Lastly, individuals over the age of 18 years, who have
received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine will, effective from Wednesday, 23
February 2022, be eligible to receive a booster dose of the same vaccine or a
booster dose of the COVID-19 J&J vaccine at least 90 days (three months)
after the second dose.
“This is called heterologous booster doses, meaning booster
doses of a different vaccine to that which was administered as the primary
dose. The decision regarding which vaccine to administer as a booster should be
guided by vaccine availability. Thus, if both vaccines are available at
vaccination site, homologous boosting should be preferred, unless the vaccinee
requests to receive a heterologous or different booster dose, or has a history
of experiencing an adverse event following immunisation,” the department said.
Citizens are reminded that all adverse events following
immunisation must be reported to their nearest vaccination site or COVID-19
Public Hotline 0800 029 999.
Done By: Mitchum George
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