Kaya News Reporter
Health minister Joe Phaahla has given the go-ahead for the Department of Health to start vaccinating children between the ages of 12-17 year olds from 20 October.
Minister of Health has announced that govt is ready to vaccinate children from 12 yrs to 17 yrs. The vaccination fir this cohort will be opened on 20 October. The vaccine MAC recommended that children should be give 1 dose of Pfizer vaccine #VaccineRollOutSA
— Department of Health (@HealthZA) October 15, 2021
The vaccines will not be administered to children at school and will be done at vaccination sites across the country.
As of 20th October 12-17 year olds can register on the Electronic Vaccination Data System to get the vaccine. Acting DG of Health says the Child Act guides you don’t need consent from parents if you are between the ages of 12-17 years.
The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for children within this age group and only one dose will be administered.
While the focus of the vaccine drive are on adults, Phaahla said the department is ready to administer doses to children.
The decision came after pressure from schools to have children vaccinated. Other factors such as the elections were considered as super-spreader events which would affect schools.
With they 18-year age group voting and returning to schools it leaves children between 12-17 years vulnerable.
The news has been met with mixed reactions from parents who are against their children receiving the vaccines.




