Children between the ages of 12 and 17 in the Cape Winelands District appeared eager to receive their first Covid-19 vaccine, after vaccinations were recently made available to this age group.
This was according to Sandra Maritz, Cape Winelands District communications officer for Western Cape department of health. Vaccinations for children between the ages of 12 and 17 opened up on Wednesday 20 October.
“As soon as the national department shared information that the 12 – 17-year age group will become eligible for vaccination, […] young people in this age group were brought or came to our facilities for vaccination from early on today [20 October],” said Maritz in email correspondence with MatieMedia.
Between 20 and 22 October, 35 739 children between the ages of 12 and 17 were vaccinated across the country, and 93 753 registered. This was according to a tweet by the department of health on 22 October.
The national department of health’s tweet detailing the Covid-19 vaccination numbers for children between the ages of 12 and 17, between 20 and 22 October. It is important to vaccinate as many South Africans as possible, in order to protect our communities, according to Sandra Maritz, Cape Winelands District communications officer for Western Cape department of health. PHOTO: Twitter/HealthZA
“To protect our communities, we need to vaccinate as many people as possible. Everyone, including children, can get Covid-19 and pass it on to someone else, so it is important that everyone gets vaccinated as soon as they qualify,” said Maritz.
No need for permission
Children over 12 years old do not need parental permission to receive their vaccinations, according to the South Africa Covid-19 and Vaccine Social Listening Report from 26 October.
However, it is suggested that parents and their children communicate together before receiving the shot, according to Elijah Mhlanga, chief director and media liaison of the national and provincial communication department of basic education.
“Through this programme, we encourage parents and children to discuss these matters and agree on the way forward…based on experience, parents and their children work together to determine what should happen,” said Mhlanga.
A Covid-19 vaccine card, given to a patient after receiving the Pfizer vaccine. As of 20 October, children between the age of 12 and 17 are eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. PHOTO: James Cameron Heron
Vaccines in schools
Meanwhile, a programme that would allow the vaccination of children in schools will not appear in 2021, but could be implemented in 2022, according to a health24 article from 18 October.
The plans have not yet been finalised, as the education department is now focusing on end-of-year examinations, according to Mhlanga. Whether vaccinations will happen in schools is a matter yet to be discussed, he added in email correspondence with MatieMedia.
“At this stage, we will offer vaccination for the 12 to 17 year olds at our usual sites that offer vaccination,” said Maritz.
When asked about the implementation of school-based vaccination sites, and the potential protocols regarding vaccinated and non-vaccinated students, Paul Roos Gymnasium (PRG), an all-boys school in Stellenbosch, elected not to take a stance on the matter.
“It is each person’s prerogative to decide on vaccination or not. We cannot speak on behalf of anyone. I hope you understand the school’s situation regarding the matter,” said Gwen Olivier, deputy rector in charge of senior phase discipline at PRG.
Although receiving the vaccine is not mandatory, Sandra Maritz, Cape Winelands District communications officer for Western Cape department of health, believes that in order to keep communities safe, everybody should get vaccinated. “To protect our communities, we need to vaccinate as many people as possible. Everyone, including children, can get Covid-19 and pass it on to someone else, so it is important that everyone gets vaccinated as soon as they qualify,” said Maritz. PHOTO: James Cameron Heron