50 000 teenagers jabbed

ALMOST 50 000 teenagers in the 12-17 age group have been vaccinated against Covid-19 since the rollout extended to that age cohort last Wednesday.

The Department of Health on Sunday revealed that the country reached a milestone as 11.5 million people were fully vaccinated, inching closer to 30% of the population being vaccinated.

Health Minister Joe Phaahla says the country is on track to reaching the target of vaccinating 70% of people by the end of the year.

Teenagers are able to get their shots from any official vaccination site and they don’t need their parents’ permission.

Parents, caregivers and legal guardians are encouraged to educate and assist eligible young people to register and vaccinate, said the Health Department.

“The Children's Act 38 of 2005 stipulates that children over the age of 12 years can consent to their own medical treatment… provided they are of sufficient maturity and have the mental capacity to understand the benefits, risks, social and other implications of the treatment,” said the department’s spokesperson Foster Mohale.

Children can go to any Covid-19 vaccination site and should bring their South African ID card, birth certificate, foreign passport or any verifiable asylum/refugee proof of identity.

The Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) advised only one dose of the Pfizer vaccine be administered.

Phaahla said during a media briefing that administering only one dose of the Pfizer vaccine is precautionary as there were a few cases of myocarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle – in teenage boys.

A number of universities are considering mandatory vaccinations for students and staff before returning to in-person classes.

Last week, the University of Cape Town (UCT) Council approved in-principle a proposal that staff who wish to return to perform their duties and students who wish to register would need to provide proof of vaccination.

The Stellenbosch University Council said it was going to make its final decision on the vaccination rule at its last meeting of the year on December 2. However, chairperson George Steyn said it is a “matter of life and death” and that the council would be entitled to take a decision as soon as possible to avoid any delays.

Ahead of the 2022 academic year, Rhodes University has revealed that all staff, students, service providers and visitors will need to produce proof that they have been vaccinated to access the campus.

Elsewhere, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised the use of a booster dose for Covid-19 vaccines in eligible populations, and the use of “mix and match” booster doses in the country.

Americans can now choose to receive a different booster vaccine than their original inoculation.

Last week, the agency said the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for the use of a single booster dose is important for continued protection against the Covid-19 disease.

The South African Department of Health is considering administering booster shots for healthcare workers on the front line.

Phaahla said the request made by healthcare workers to receive booster shots is receiving attention. “We’re working with the SA Medical Research Council.”