The Department of Health has announced that Covid-19 booster doses will start rolling out from this Friday (24 December 2021).<\/p>\n
The regulator, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) approved the use of Pfizer vaccine as a booster of the primary Pfizer vaccine two-dose series some time ago.<\/p>\n
This approval is for the vaccination of people six months after the administration of the second dose – or in the case of immunocompromised people who receive an additional primary dose, after their third dose.<\/p>\n
SAHPRA has also approved the use of the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine for boosters of the single-dose primary J&J schedule at least 2 months after primary vaccination.<\/p>\n
From 24 December 2021, the National Vaccination Programme will provide J&J booster vaccinations to anyone who received their last dose at least 2 months prior (24th October 2021 or before and from then on at least 2 months interval).<\/p>\n
The recommended interval is after 2 months, but preferably before 6 months from the primary dose.<\/p>\n
From 28th December 2021, the National Vaccination Programme will provide Pfizer booster vaccinations to anyone who received their last dose at least 6 months since the second primary dose.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
| Vaccine<\/th>\n | Age group<\/th>\n | Wait period<\/th>\n | Available<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n |
|---|---|---|---|
| J&J second dose<\/td>\n | Healthcare workers (Sisonke)<\/td>\n | N\/A<\/td>\n | 10 November 2021<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Pfizer second dose<\/td>\n | Children 12 – 17<\/td>\n | 42 days after first dose<\/td>\n | 9 December 2021<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| J&J second dose<\/td>\n | Everyone who received a first dose<\/td>\n | 2 months after first dose<\/td>\n | 24 December 2021<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Pfizer third dose<\/td>\n | 18 and older<\/td>\n | 6 months after second dose<\/td>\n | 28 December 2021<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n |