With more than 38 million South Africans having received the Covid-19 vaccine, Health Minister Joe Phaahla said immunocompromised children, aged five to 11, would be eligible to receive two doses of Pfizer’s pediatric vaccine from February of next year.
Phaahla said the vaccination would include children with chronic respiratory, cardiac, neurological, renal, hepatic and gastrointestinal conditions, as well as those with certain endocrine disorders, conditions associated with immunosuppression and severe genetic abnormalities.
The two doses would be administered 21 days apart.
Phaahla said there was a demand for booster doses for vulnerable people, including the elderly, but the department was still deciding whether to increase vaccine intake.
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Adults ages 18-49 are eligible for three doses, while those 50 and older are eligible for four.
“There is little experience with the six ideal boost intervals, and there is a high level of immunity in the community. At this stage, the intention is to provide another boost at an interval between the previous and the additional boost of a minimum of 180 days or six months.
“Although this next booster will be a voluntary dose, the department reminds South Africans that the lifting of restrictions does not mean the pandemic is over,” the minister said.
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