By Kaya 959 Reporter
The Health Department is expected to officially roll out COVID-19 booster shots on Friday.
“The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority approved the use of Pfizer vaccine as a booster of the primary Pfizer vaccine two-dose series some time ago,” the department said in a statement.
It says this approval is for the vaccination of people six months after the administration of the second dose.
Booster shots also apply in the case of immunocompromised people who receive an additional primary dose, after their third dose.
“SAHPRA has also approved the use of the J&J vaccine for boosters of the single-dose primary J&J schedule at least two months after primary vaccination.
“The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Vaccines for COVID-19 has advised the Minister regarding booster vaccines,” the department says.
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Pfizer booster shots available next week
The National Vaccination Programme will provide J&J booster vaccinations from 24 December. Those eligible to receive the J&J booster would have been vaccinated on or before 24 October.
According to the department, the recommended interval is after two months but preferably before six months from the primary dose.
Health officials will provide Pfizer booster vaccinations from 28 December to anyone who received their last dose at least six months after the second primary dose.
“Booster doses are the same vaccine in the same dose administered to people who have had a primary vaccination series and are administered to allow the body to boost its immunity to the Covid-19 virus,” the department says.
On Thursday, the country’s cumulative COVID-19 cases increased by 21 157 to 3 374 262.
KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of cases with 5 241 new cases recorded. Gauteng recorded 4 206 new cases and the Western Cape reported 4 597 new cases.
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