The vaccination program in the country has sparked a massive debate, particularly for parents.
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.
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
Thomas and Skhumba wanted to know from parents who are not vaccinated at the moment (for whatever reason), what they would you say to your 12 to 17 year old child if they came to you and said they are getting vaccinated on Wednesday?
Listen to the full conversation here:
Also Read: 12-17 year olds to receive Covid-19 vaccines from 20 October
The Children’s Act 38 of 2005 provides that children over the age of 12 years can consent to their own medical treatment provided they are sufficiently mature and have the mental capacity to understand the benefits, risks, and social and other implications of the treatment.
In other countries have also recently moved to vaccinate children. In the UK parental consent is sought for children when getting the vaccine. However if a child can prove they understand the risks and benefits of the vaccine they can ask for or refuse it.
Kaya 959 listeners also weighed in on social media:
Mina I stopped listening to the government soon as they said pass rate was 40%, haka pass rate ke 70% non negotiable! I’m fully vaccinated, but my kids won’t without my consent regardless of what the government or health minister says! 😡#ThomasAndSkhumba pic.twitter.com/eCoicVLLfB
— Dani Ruttang ☄️ (@Dani_Baloyi) October 18, 2021
#ThomasAndSkhumba before we could lash on government, how many decisions has they done without a parent’s consent. Sexual education at school, they can do abortion without a parent’s knowledge. They are facing a peer pressure that causes uninformed decisions. Relax
— Tshidiso Matolo (@TshidisoMatolo1) October 18, 2021
#thomasandskhumba mna my 16 year old is for vaccination uthi yena he’s looking out for himself, and his future. Next year he’s going to Matric and is looking for opportunities to study overseas so ucele ndimkhaphe…we all vaccinated in the house 🤗🤗🤗❤️
— Zanele Theyise (@zangem12) October 18, 2021
#ThomasAndSkhumba
If my child experiences sise effects and gets sick… Who must take care of him or her…. Mina futhi????@skhumbi @thomasmsengana pic.twitter.com/IoLhpYHt8H— Mjaba Thebe (@mjabathebe) October 18, 2021
#ThomasAndSkhumba we’ve heard stories that some people die after they’ve taken the vaccine… so if it happens that they go vaccine without their parents consent and they die who is gonna bury them?? 🤔 the parent???
— 🌼🍃Motaung 🌼🍃 (@sibongile11932) October 18, 2021



