South Africa has approved the use of a Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine as a booster shot for those aged over 18 years and have been vaccinated twice before with the same vaccine, the South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA) announced on Thursday.
This means that the third dose could now be given to adults with a weak immune system, SAHPRA said.
“Following evaluation of the data submitted, SAHPRA has approved a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in individuals aged 18 years and older to be administered at least six months after the second dose,” the watchdog said.
All adults in South Africa were, therefore, now eligible for an additional shot six months after the second dose, and it might be given at any point after that time, it added.
Booster shots are administered to a vaccinated population that has completed a primary vaccination series, currently one or two doses of Covid-19 vaccines, depending on the product, according to the World Health Organisation.
Meanwhile, Pfizer released data showing that a third dose would protect against severe disease caused by the Omicron strain, the highly transmissible variant which is currently causing havoc in the country and worldwide.
NM/jn/APA