South Africa to Offer Health Workers Booster Covid-19 Shots
South Africa Will Offer Booster Covid-19 Shots From Next Month
South Africa will offer booster Covid-19 shots to health workers next month and is planning incentives to improve vaccination rates.
Extra Johnson & Johnson doses will be offered to almost 500,000 people who received the same vaccine as part of a trial earlier this year, Health Department deputy Director-General Nicholas Crisp said by phone on Friday. The service will be available from Nov. 8, he said.
The decision follows evidence from another smaller study, with participants from at least 10 countries, that evaluated a J&J booster given at least two months after the first dose. The regime was found to substantially increase protection, especially against severe disease.
The plan in South Africa, where about 30% of eligible adults have been fully vaccinated, comes ahead of an expected fourth wave later this year. The results will be used to guide further decisions regarding boosters.
Fast-food provider Nando’s Group is offering 500,000 rand ($33,000) of vouchers to the nation’s best-performing vaccination sites on the day of municipal elections on Nov. 1, Health Minister Joe Phaahla told reporters at a briefing. The government also plans to offer 100 rand ($7) of grocery vouchers to people over the age of 60 who go and get vaccinated for the first time, he said.
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