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According to the Department of Health, children between the ages of 12 and 17 will be the next group to get the COVID-19 vaccination. The vaccine campaign will begin on Wednesday, 20 October 2021.
Dr Joe Phaahla, Minister of Health, said this is in response to the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) proposal on COVID-19 Vaccines.
“This recommendation was also supported by Health MECs when we met on Tuesday afternoon (12 October 2021) during our statutory National Health Council,” he said. Additionally, on Wednesday, 13 October 2021, Cabinet approved the move.
According to the department, the vaccines will be distributed beginning in October 2021. This will enable the necessary preparations on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) registration system and other logistical preparations.
“We believe that this will come in handy as schools start their examinations, while some of them already advanced towards concluding the academic year and studying to prepare for the next academic year of 2022.” Dr Phaala says.
According to the minister, MAC has indicated that for the time being, a single dosage of the Pfizer vaccine should be provided, as approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).
The minister further said that while this will provide ample protection, they will spread out the second dosage for children as additional information becomes available.
Moreover, Mediclinic Newcastle, being on the frontline, is pleased that children are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Mediclinic Newcastle Hospital General Manager Japie Greyling elaborates, “As healthcare workers, we have seen a devastating third Covid-19 surge at our hospital. What made this surge so disastrous was that we lost many younger generation patients and, in some cases, whole families. This all could have been prevented had Newcastillians taken up arms and showed up in full force at the various vaccination stations.”
Greyling continues stating; data shows that 97% of Covid-19 patients treated in hospitals have not been completely vaccinated (*Iacobucci G. Covid-19: How is immunisation impacting hospital admissions and deaths? doi:10.1136/bmj.n2306). BMJ 2021; 374:n2306).
“Getting vaccinated is a life-saving measure. Personally, I cannot understand the resistance against vaccinations with massive evidence produced by the scientific community in favour of Vaccines. Els Borst said, “If everything is God’s will, then so is the invention of the vaccine, just like the seatbelt,” notes Greyling.
What can parents and children expect when coming for a Pfizer vaccine at Mediclinic Newcastle?
Greyling states that since the announcement on Friday morning, 15 October 2021, the Mediclinic Newcastle team has had many brainstorming meetings to consider how they might welcome these young people and teenagers at their vaccination centre.
“We are working on brightening up the centre with vibrant colours, props and cool music. We are urgently sourcing a SLUSH PUPPIE machine to give a free slush puppie to every scholar in uniform. But most of all, parents and adults can experience the great service from our vaccination centre staff. I had my second shot on Wednesday, and it was amazing, my arm didn’t even hurt afterwards.”
What do parents and children need to know about the vaccine, given that there is still some uncertainty?
“I don’t want to focus on the ‘why not’ stories of vaccinations or on ‘if you love your family, you will get them vaccinated’. What I do want to focus on is the ‘why’ question. Why vaccination? Think back to your last vacation without a mask, think back to playing beach cricket in Ballito, sitting in the movies with popcorn, visiting your family far away, travelling without fear,” Greyling declares.
Concluding, he points out, “As the experts say, we need to achieve herd immunity, that is when a big part of our community (herd) becomes immune to Covid-19, slowly but surely the disease is eradicated. So, in summary, we are very excited to be warriors in the fight against coronavirus. Come to Mediclinic Newcastle and be part of our herd.”
Using Mediclinic Southern Africa‘s Mediclinic Vaccination Booking Portal, Newcastillians may make an appointment at Mediclinic Newcastle or any other Mediclinic vaccination centre at a time and date that is convenient for them.
To learn more about the Mediclinic Vaccination Booking Portal, click here.
To visit the Vaccination Booking Portal and schedule your and your child’s appointments, click here.
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