The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has called for immediate COVID-19 booster shots for healthcare workers and that they should also have the right to choose between the second dose of J&J or Pfizer, reports MedicalBrief.
“These are people who are literally on the frontline of a war and who have made enormous sacrifices to assist others. It’s our duty, and the duty of authorities, to ensure these brave men and women receive the best possible protection they can, which is possible through authorizing booster shots,” said Dr Angelique Coetzee, chairperson of SAMA.
Coetzee said the high effectiveness of reducing hospitalisations among those who had received second doses and booster shots would ensure the continued health of healthcare workers and reduce transmissions in health facilities. In addition, booster shots would become more necessary as new variants of Covid-19 arise.
“Resources, both human and operational, are already stretched, and the battles against Covid – especially during the first three waves – exacted a further heavy toll. Doctors are emotionally strained and we are still receiving information on burnout among many of our colleagues. Booster doses will go a long way to send a message to doctors that they are being supported and that their efforts are being recognised,” said Coetzee.
“We still need to focus on getting as many South Africans vaccinated as possible, and we will support those efforts. But vaccine supply is not constrained, and some of those which are available must be given to the people who face this pandemic head-on every day without diverting anything from the public. We believe the scientific evidence strongly favours this approach.”
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