The President of the College of Public health medicine Dr Saiendra Moodley, has written to the Department of Health asking why healthcare workers are only able to receive a booster shot of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine through the Sisonke study.
The college says that there should be a programme outside the Sisonke study, that offers both the Johnson & Johnson and the Pfizer vaccines.
“We are concerned that the J&J vaccine through the Sisonke study, is the only option available to health workers. You know our reports on the ground, the health workers on the ground having seen the information of a number of them have a preference for the Pfizer vaccine,” says Moodley.
“Therefore, [they] would be reluctant to take the J&J. Obviously with Pfizer currently not available, that has implications for booster coverage prior to a potential fourth wave,” adds Dr Moodley.
Understanding the purpose of the COVID-19 booster shots with Dr Linda-Gail Bekker
Meanwhile, Gauteng Health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi has urged parents to allow their children who are aged 12 to 17 to take the COVID-19 vaccination.
This comes as the ACDP and various civil society movements approach the High Court in Pretoria to challenge the vaccination of children.
Mokgethi visited vaccination sites in and around Gauteng to monitor the second leg of the Vooma Vaccination Campaign Weekend which started on Friday.
The first leg was at the start of October following the official launch by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Parents angry over government’s decision to vaccinate children without parental consent:
