The Ministry of Health says more booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will now be provided to eligible citizens at all active vaccination sites across the country.
“This is in line with the announcement made by Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla earlier this month that the government has been inundated with requests from fully vaccinated members of the public, namely the most vulnerable groups, seeking to maintain and strengthen their coverage of the current and evolving COVID-19 variants,” said the branch on a Monday.
This means that all adults over the age of 50 are eligible to receive five doses of the vaccine, while those over the age of 18 to 49 will be eligible to get the vaccine to make 4 doses of the Johnson vaccine.
The withdrawal period between the last dose and this additional dose shall be at least 180 days or six months.
All adults over the age of 18 who are registered in the Electronic System for Immunization Data (EVDS) as immunocompromised will also be eligible for an additional booster dose 180 days after their last dose.
Meanwhile, the vaccination schedule for adolescents between 12 and 17 years remains unchanged, this age organization remains eligible to get two doses.
According to the department, the EVDS was updated to reflect those adjustments and vaccinators were informed accordingly.
“The ministry has incorporated COVID-19 immunization facilities into the number one sports facility, and efforts are underway, in collaboration with the provinces, to frequently update lists of vaccination sites and make them available to the public.
The branch believes vaccination remains the most effective weapon against the pandemic, especially as new variants and subvariants are detected in parts of the world.
People with known symptoms of COVID-19, such as flu-like symptoms, additional body aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, or loss of taste, are encouraged to go to a gym.
(With contributions from South Africa’s press release)