Department to announce date and criteria to administer additional Pfizer vaccine doses

The Department of Health has been inundated with media and public queries since the South African Health Products Authority has announced the approval of 3rd dose of COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine in individuals aged 18 years and older.

There have also been queries about 2nd dose vaccinations for individuals aged between 12 and 17 years.

The Department has opened the Electronic Vaccination Data system (EVDS) for the second dose of Pfizer vaccine for 12 to 17 age group this morning.

The SMS messages have been sent to those who qualify for their second vaccination.

Adolescents who received their first dose while they were 17 years old, subsequently turned 18 can now receive their second vaccinations.

The matter of a third (booster) dose of Pfizer for the adult population was approved by the regulator, SAHPRA.

This means that the Vaccine Ministerial Advisory Committee can now advise the Minister on when to proceed with boosters for those who has Pfizer primary schedule vaccinations.

The Department will tomorrow (Friday), make a formal announcement and explanation on any changes to the schedule for administrations of vaccination doses.

Source: Government of South Africa