The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has revealed that on 17 November 2021 they received an application from Pfizer regarding the booster shot.
The latest Pfizer shot is officially FDA approved
On Friday, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) backed the emergency authorisations for booster shots of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
Now all adults in the US are eligible for an additional shot six months after they have received the second dose.
“Pfizer’s latest request says results from a Phase 3 clinical trial with more than 10 000 participants found that the third dose was safe and effective,” SAHPRA said.
WHO explains why booster shots are administered
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “booster doses are administered to a vaccinated population that has completed a primary vaccination series”. And currently, this vaccination series is either one or two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, depending on the product.
The booster shot is given when immunity/clinical protection has fallen below a sufficient rate. Thus, the booster shot is given with the “aim to restore vaccine effectiveness”.
Healthcare workers to receive their booster shot of J&J
As part of the Sisonke Study, healthcare workers received their first shot of Johnson & Johnson (J&J). And last month, SAHPRA and J&J approved that booster shots will now be available for those partaking in the study.
The approval came after the FDA recommended that all Americans 18 years and older who received a single dose of J&J should get a second dose.
Earlier in 2021, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) worked with the National Department of Health (NDoH), Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, CAPRISA, and the pharmaceutical company to come together to provide early access to J&J.
And according to the Department of Health’s latest data, 81 840 J&J booster shots have been administered to healthcare workers since it has become available.
Media Statement: Pfizer asks for SAHPRA authorisation for COVID-19 booster shots