Leading South African vaccination expert, professor Shabir Madhi says vaccinating the country’s children, at this point in time, seems to be a waste of valuable doses of Covid-19 vaccine.
Madhi, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of WITS, says children are at a much lower risk of developing severe forms of Covid-19, and getting hospitalized, should they contract the viral-disease.
He says the vaccines, currently being given to 12 to 17-year old children, should rather be administered to older, high-risk patients.
He says healthcare workers should also be prioritized.
Follow the country’s latest vaccination news here.
Related articles:
- Worrying decrease in Covid-19 vaccine uptake among Western Cape residents.
- Western Cape increasing access to Covid-19 vaccines in poorer communities.
- Grocery vouchers up for grabs for getting a Covid-19 jab, pop-up sites set up at voting stations.
Health workers who have participated in the Sisonke study will receive an sms inviting them to participate in the Sisonke part 2 #VaccinateToSaveSouthAfrica #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/B7BaVR85PG
— Department of Health (@HealthZA) November 5, 2021
As of today the cumulative number of #COVID19 cases identified in SA is 2 924 622 with 305 new cases reported. Today 48 deaths have been reported bringing the total to 89 435 deaths. The cumulative number of recoveries now stand at 2 818 761 with a recovery rate of 96,4% pic.twitter.com/7tICj23TrW
— Department of Health (@HealthZA) November 10, 2021