South Africa: Started giving a booster dose to the general population

South African authorities to start offering booster dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine covid-19 as of today, Friday, announced the Ministry of Health after the approval of the preparation for use as a booster vaccine by the competent regulatory authority.

Both J&J and Pfizer have been approved for use as booster vaccines by the South African Medical Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), but today's announcement marks the first time a third dose has been given to the general population.

So far, J&J boosters have been available for healthcare professionals. However, the emergence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has intensified the need to increase human protection.

"From 24 December 2021 the National Vaccination Program will offer boosting doses of J&J to anyone who has received the last dose of the vaccine against covid-19 at least two months earlier ", the announcement pointed out, while adding that ideally the boosting dose should be administered within six months from the completion of the basic vaccination.

A booster dose with the Pfizer vaccine will be available from the beginning of January. However, the Ministry of Health pointed out that it will be offered from December 28 for those who received the second installment at least six months ago.

Although SAHPRA announced that it allows the use of a different vaccine as a booster than the one used in the initial vaccination, the Ministry of Health described the booster vaccines as "the same vaccine and the same dose given to people who have completed their basic vaccination". .

So far in South Africa 44% of adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine against covid-19. This percentage is higher than that recorded by many African countries, but lower than the target set by the government.

Source: RES-EAP