The South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA) has approved a third (booster) dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for individuals aged 18 years and older.

The booster shot is to be administered at least 6 months after the second dose.

A booster shot of the same vaccine has also been approved for individuals aged 12 years and older who are severely immune-compromised, to be administered at least 28 days after the second dose.

These developments were announced on Wednesday by SAHPRA.

“On 17 November 2021, SAHPRA received an application from Pfizer to amend the dosing schedule for the Comirnaty® COVID-19 vaccine, allowing an optional third (booster) dose. Following evaluation of the data submitted, SAHPRA has approved the following options,” notes SAHPRA in a statement on Wednesday.

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In October, SAHPRA approved the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine booster doses for all healthcare workers who received the first shot as part of the Sisonke study.

This comes after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended a second dose of the J&J vaccine for all Americans aged 18 years and older who received a single dose.