Only 5% of South Africans, who are eligible, have already received a Covid-19 booster dose.

This refers to those who have had a third injection of the Pfizer vaccine, or their second dose of the Johnson & Johnson injection.

Prof. Barry Schoub, member of the Vaccine Ministerial Advisory Committee, says a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine is needed to further protect people against serious forms of Covid-19.

Schoub spoke to ENCA and says it seems that people may have to go for a booster dose, on a regular basis, as the pandemic continues to develop.

Get the latest updates here.

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South African virologist professor Barry Schoub says the adjusted vaccination regime, announced over the weekend, may hopefully lead to a dramatic uptake in Covid-19 booster shots.

The adjustments now allow for recipients, who have already had two Pfizer shots, to get their booster shot 3 months after their second dose.

From today, people 18 years and older, who have received their first J&J vaccine dose, can choose to have a Pfizer booster.

Schoub spoke to ENCA and says South Africans can now also decide which brand of vaccine, whether Pfizer or J&J, to take for their booster dose.

He says there are enough vaccines in stock to administer these booster doses.

Get the press statement here.

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Covid-19 vaccine booster shots are now available to eligible persons.

The announcement was made recently that both Johnson & Johnson AND Pfizer booster shots are now available.

The national Health Department recently announced that persons who have received the Pfizer vaccination can report for a third booster dose, six months after their second dose.

Those who have received one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, are eligible for a second dose two months after their first.

Mayco member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross says: “Persons who have already received a vaccination can report to their nearest vaccination site for their booster dose. There is no need for re-registration. Just bring along your identity document and the vaccination card you received during your first vaccination. And please encourage relatives and friends to do the same, if they are eligible at this time to receive a booster shot.”

She adds: “More importantly, this is also a renewed call to unvaccinated persons to get in line for their vaccination. If nothing else, this fourth wave has proven the efficacy of vaccines in minimising the risk of severe illness. It is important to safeguard yourself and your loved ones, and vaccination is the best protection we have.”

The public is reminded that they have to wait 30 days from having had Covid-19 before they can be vaccinated, or receive a booster shot.

Below is a list of City vaccination sites and their operating hours for the last few days of 2021.

  • Tafelsig Thusong Centre Open until 12h00 on the 31st (Cnr Kilimanjaro and Pyrenees Streets, Tafelsig)
  • Crossroads 1 Clinic Open on the 29th (Klipfontein Road, Crossroads)
  • Phumlani Clinic Open until 12h00 on the 31st (Cnr Stock & Mgqwani Road, Phillipi East)
  • Rocklands Clinic Open on the 30th (Cnr Lancaster & Park Avenue, Rocklands)
  • Adriaanse Clinic Open 28 to 30 Dec; closed the 31st (40th Avenue, Clarke Estate)
  • St.Vincent CDC Open 28 to 30 Dec; closed the 31st (St.Vincent Drive, Belhar)
  • Langa Hall (Johnson Ngweval Hall) Open 28 to 30 Dec; closed the 31st (King Langalibalele Street , Langa)
  • Wallacedene Clinic Open 29 Dec; closed the 31st (Cnr. La Boheme & Pietersen Street Wallacedene)
  • Brackenfell Community Hall Open until 12h00 on the 31st (off Paradys Street, Brackenfell)
  • Ikhwezi CDC Open until 12h00 on the 31st (Simon Street, Strand)
  • Sarepta Clinic Open until 12h00 on the 31st (Rietvlei Road, Sarepta, Kuils River)
  • Eerste River Multipurpose Centre Open until 12h00 on the 31st (Bob’s Way, Eerste River)
  • Solomon Mahlangu Hall Open until 12h00 on the 31st (Walter Sisulu Road, Khayelitsha)
  • Tafelsig Thusong Centre Open until 12h00 on the 31st (Cnr Kilimanjaro and Pyrenees Streets, Tafelsig)

After the new year’s weekend, vaccination sites will be operating as normal between 08:00 and 16:00, Monday to Friday.

The South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA) has approved the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) booster Covid-19 booster shot.

A second dose of the J&J vaccine can now be administered at least 2 months after the primary vaccination in people 18 years and older.

In a statement, SAHPRA also confirmed that anyone who received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine can get a J&J booster shot: “A booster dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen (0.5 mL) may be administered as a heterologous booster dose following completion of primary vaccination with an approved mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The dosing interval for the heterologous booster dose is the same as that authorised for a booster dose of the vaccine used for primary vaccination.”

SAHPRA added that it has reviewed the safety and efficacy data provided. The second phase of the Sisonke Study started on 10 November when health workers became eligible for a second dose of the J&J Covid-19 vaccine.

The Department of Health is yet to confirm a rollout of J&J booster shots.

Health Minister, Joe Phaahla says only healthcare workers, at this point in time, qualify for and will receive a booster shot of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The Minister was speaking to ENCA on Sunday and said the roll-out of these booster shots is progressing well.

He says close to 82,000 healthcare workers had already received a follow-up dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, as part of phase 2 of the Sisonke study.

Follow the Health Department’s latest Covid-19 updates here.

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