At least 7 000 children vaccinated in last 24 hours - Phaahla
A total of 7 000 children between the ages of 12 and 17 were vaccinated during the first hours of goverment's campaign to jab teens.
This was confirmed by Health Minister Joe Phaahla on Thursday.
Phaahla was speaking during a site visit in Diepsloot, where he was monitoring the vaccination rollout for pre-teens and teenagers.
The health department is rolling out only one dose of Pfizer for each child as approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra).
This is while the Sinovac trial is underway for children six months old and above.
"We are monitoring the vaccinations and up to around 10 am; this morning, the record we had was just around 7000 and with around 60 000 children registered in the last 24 hours," he said.
"It's picking up, but it's still during the school period and some children are undergoing examinations, we anticipated a slow pickup, but we are confident that with time there will be more children coming to vaccinated."
He said South Africa is being cautious by administering only one dose of Pfizer as it has been warned of a condition, Myocarditis, which causes inflammation of the heart muscle.
Phaahla said they had not received any reports of serious side effects since the process began.
Children are protected by the Children's Act and do not require parental consent.
"Our own preference is that children consult with their parents before vaccinating and if possible, the parent and guardian can be present and give them support," he said.
Some children from Diepsloot received their jabs during Phaahla's site visit, some visibly upset and crying when jabbed.
The first was Karabo Selepe, who is 12 years old and her mother a nurse.
"I did not think Covid-19 was serious until I started hearing about people dying. I feel very good about taking the vaccine, but I cannot tell my friends at school because they will treat me differently," she said.
Phaahla said it was important that parents give their children the right information about vaccines and encourage them to get the jab.
