Media Statement: Government offers additional booster dose for people 50 years and older

MEDIA STATEMENT
To: Editors & Health Journalists
Issued by: Department of Health
Date: Sunday, 05 June 2022

Government offers additional booster dose for people 50 years and older

Pretoria: The Department of Health has updated vaccination schedule for people aged 50 years and older, and as a result all people falling under this age category will be eligible to receive an additional booster dose of Pfizer vaccine with effect from Monday, 06 June 2022.

This additional booster is for available to all people of this age group who have completed at least 120 days or four months since they received their last Covid-19 vaccination of either Pfizer or J&J.
This is part of efforts by the government to increase vaccine uptake to achieve population immunity while protecting the most vulnerable groups, especially those living with co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension.

Pfizer vaccine has shown to be safe and effective for boosting immunity in older persons who remain at highest risk of severe disease and death from Covid. Out of a total adult population of  almost 20 million people who have vaccinated so far, more than 7 million of them are aged 50 years and older. We applaud older people for coming forward in large numbers and we encourage all individuals who have not had their second dose or booster dose to go to their nearest vaccination site.

The Department in collaboration with health organisation Right to Care, has launched the app FindMyJab.co.za, which will make it easier for anyone to find the closest vaccination site using any device such as smartphone, laptop, table, etc.

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