Pretoria – The Department of Health on Wednesday announced that Covid-19 vaccine booster doses will be made available, especially for older persons and those who are immunocompromised.
Responding to queries on the availability of free vaccine booster shots, the department said: “At the current moment, adults between the ages of 18 – 49 years are eligible to receive a total of three doses, whilst those 50 years and older are eligible to receive four doses”.
However, the department said consideration was being given to offering an additional booster dose to both age groups.
“This would mean that adults aged 18 – 49 years would be eligible to receive a total of four doses, while those 50 years and older would be eligible to receive five doses,” explained Foster Mohale, the department’s spokesperson.
“There is little experience of ideal booster intervals and there is a high level of immunity in the community.
“At this stage the intention is to provide another booster at an interval between the previous and the additional booster dose of a minimum of 180 days (six months).”
Mohale said this next booster will be a voluntary dose and not part of a wide community campaign.
In addition, all children aged 5 to 11 years living with conditions that place them at risk of severe Covid disease, will be offered vaccination with two doses of the paediatric Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine early next year, with an interval of 21 days between the two doses.
This will include children with chronic respiratory, heart, neurological, kidney, liver, and gastrointestinal conditions as well as those with certain endocrine disorders, serious genetic abnormalities, and other conditions associated with immunosuppression.
“Only children referred by a clinician will be eligible for vaccination, and consent for vaccination will need to be provided by the child’s legal guardian,” said Mohale.
“More information regarding the additional booster doses and vaccination of children between the ages of 5 – 11 years will be provided once available.
“Despite the current low hospitalisation and mortality rates, the pandemic continues to threaten the lives of vulnerable people.”
The department vaccination still provides the best protection against severe disease as well as Long Covid, and the department, therefore, continues to encourage everyone to protect themselves through vaccination.
