The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and three other stakeholders are planning to interdict the Health Department from inoculating minors between the ages of 12 and 17 years with the COVID-19 vaccine.

This comes after almost 220 000 children were vaccinated with one dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

ACDP Counsel, Bongani Luthuli, says there is no tangible evidence that shows children are most vulnerable to the pandemic.

Luthuli says, “There is no classical data and raw data that shows that children are the most vulnerable to this pandemic and that in fact, they can transmit the virus to the next person, in fact, we have not seen a medical consensus that justifies the rollout of vaccination to children. We submit that children are being used as guinea pigs with this exercise.”

Vaccines are safe

Last month, the Health Department said it is adamant that its decision to vaccinate children aged between 12 and 17 is within the law.

They said they are concerned that members of the public are blowing their fears out of proportion.

According to the Children’s Act, those who are older than 12 can get medical attention and treatment without the consent of a guardian.

The Department’s Acting Director-General Doctor Nicholas Crisp has reassured members of the public that the vaccines are safe: