SAMA supports approval for Pfizer vaccine for minors
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has approved the use of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine on children aged 12 years and older.
SAHPRA says the decision was based on a review of updated safety and efficacy information.
It is the first Covid-19 vaccine approved for minors in the country.
“We believe that SAHPRA is within its own right to make that statement and also having followed all the processes. It is within their right to approve the use of Pfizer to children,” says the South African Medical Association’s Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa.
“I’m sure they will collect data as to monitor the reaction or anything that in process may affect children while vaccinating. I believe we should do whatever we can to support the rollout,”
This follows the official launch of South Africa’s vaccine trial on children last week with the SinoVac vaccine.
The study worldwide will enroll 14 000 children and adolescents in various pediatric age groups from 5 countries including South Africa, Chile, Philippines, Malaysia and Kenya.
“It’s important that as a country we don’t treat ourselves as province of other countries. We need to have our own data we need have our own trials.
“It’s a good thing to know that in other countries it has been done, but within South Africa I do believe we need to have our own data that speaks to that,” says Mzukwa.
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