An Appeal Committee has been appointed to make a formal judgment on whether it is necessary to vaccinate children between 12 and 17 years of age.
On Friday Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla announced the appointment of an Appeal Committee to adjudicate on the matter between the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and an organisation called Free-the-Children Save the Nation.
Last year in October Dr. Phaahla said the government would open Covid-19 vaccinations to children aged between 12 and 17 years old.
Opening vaccination of children of this age group, was in line with then SAHPRA’s approval of Pfizer vaccine for and subsequent recommendations by the Ministerial Advisory Committee.
However, the move led to disputes by some sections of the society which include Free-the-Children Save the Nation, which formally appealed the decision to approve Covid-19 jabs for children.
They argued that children were effectively at no risk from the coronavirus, therefore they did not require vaccination.
On Friday Dr. Phaala said in terms of Section 24A of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Act No. 101 of 1965) as amended, he had appointed a five-member Appeal Committee to adjudicate on this matter.
The Committee members include Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC (Chairperson), Professor Salim Abdool Karim, Dr. Stephen Schmidt, Dr. Herman Edeling, and Professor Glenda Gray.
The matter will be heard next week on Friday, 11 February, and Monday 14 February.
