The Department of Health says the Covid-19 virus leads to inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) among teenagers, and NOT a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, as was previously feared.

The Department of Health has now approved a second dose of Pfizer for children older than 12.

It’s since emerged that children’s heart muscles were weakened by Covid-19 and not the vaccine.

Deputy director general Nicholas Crisp explains:

Meanwhile the country has now administered nearly 27 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine. 15 million adults are now ‘fully’ vaccinated (1 dose J&J or 2 doses Pfizer).

More than 700 000 children (12-17) have received their 1st Pfizer dose.

Health Minister Joe Phaahla confirmed there was an initial increase in hospital admissions in children, particularly in the age group under 5 years.

The proportion of admissions in this group has however decreased and more adults are getting infected.

Phaahla says 70% of people currently in hospital are unvaccinated.