It is all systems go for South Africans aged 60 and above to receive their Covid-19 booster shots.
On Thursday, health spokesperson Foster Mohale said everyone who is eligible to receive the booster shot can go to their nearest vaccination site and get their shot.
“Everyone who is eligible can go their nearest vaccination site and get the booster. Boosters are administered on eligibility, according to groups,” Mohale said.
In December, the Department of Health embarked with the Sisonke two trial where health workers, ministers and health MECs received their Johnson & Johnson booster shots before the South African Health Products and Regulatory (Sahpra) body approved the Johnson & Johnson (J&J).
Mohale said to date, more than 230,000 people under the Sisonke 2 trial have been administered the booster shots.
Booster shots for J&J should be done two months after primary jab, according to Sahpra but the Department of Health recommends it after six months.
Sahpra also approved the use of the Pfizer booster shot for people six months after they received their second vaccine jab.
Earlier this week, the South African Medical Association (SAMA) recommended that the Department of Health allow general practitioners (GP) to be allowed to administer vaccines.
Speaking on the topic, Dr Angelique Coetzee from SAMA, said this would make the vaccine rollout more convenient and help accelerate the vaccine drive.
Coetzee said the first step would be to upgrade the electronic vaccination data system (EVDS) to allow doctors to register more easily.
Previously, SA Medical Research Council (SAMRC) president and CEO professor Glenda Gray said there were low numbers among men and encouraged the health department to come up with innovative ways to attract them.
On the proposals made by SAMA, Mohale confirmed the Department of Health was considering the suggestions made.
Asked if they were discussing the suggestions, Mohale said: “Yes, that is being considered.”
As of Wednesday, SA recorded 11,106 new Covid-19 cases and 110 deaths.
More than 28 million vaccines have been administered thus far.
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