Health minister appoints five-member panel to adjudicate challenge to vaccines for adolescents
Free the Children — Save the Nation has appealed the decision to approve Covid-19 vaccines for 12- to 17-year olds, arguing this age group is effectively not at risk from the coronavirus
04 February 2022 - 12:02
by Staff Writer
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Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi will chair a high-level panel to adjudicate on Covid-19 vaccinations for adolescents. Picture: Felix Dlangamandla/Gallo Images
Health minister Joe Phaahla has appointed a five-member committee to adjudicate a challenge to the Covid-19 vaccination of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 years.
The organisation Free the Children — Save the Nation has formally appealed the decision to approve vaccines for children, arguing this age group is effectively not at risk from the coronavirus and therefore does not require vaccination for their protection.
The organisation, together with the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), the Caring Healthcare Workers Coalition and Covid Care Alliance, late last year launched an application before the high court in Pretoria seeking an urgent interdict to halt the rollout of children’s vaccinations.
In October, Phaahla announced the government would open Covid-19 vaccinations to children older than 12. This was in line with the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority’s approval of the Pfizer vaccine for vaccination of children of this age group and subsequent recommendations by the Ministerial Advisory Committee.
Under section 24A of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, the minister said he had appointed a five-member appeal committee to adjudicate on the matter. The committee members are chairpersonadvocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Prof Salim Abdool Karim, Dr Stephen Schmidt, Dr Herman Edeling, and Prof Glenda Gray.
The matter is set down to be heard on February 11 and 14.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Health minister appoints five-member panel to adjudicate challenge to vaccines for adolescents
Free the Children — Save the Nation has appealed the decision to approve Covid-19 vaccines for 12- to 17-year olds, arguing this age group is effectively not at risk from the coronavirus
Health minister Joe Phaahla has appointed a five-member committee to adjudicate a challenge to the Covid-19 vaccination of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 years.
The organisation Free the Children — Save the Nation has formally appealed the decision to approve vaccines for children, arguing this age group is effectively not at risk from the coronavirus and therefore does not require vaccination for their protection.
The organisation, together with the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), the Caring Healthcare Workers Coalition and Covid Care Alliance, late last year launched an application before the high court in Pretoria seeking an urgent interdict to halt the rollout of children’s vaccinations.
In October, Phaahla announced the government would open Covid-19 vaccinations to children older than 12. This was in line with the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority’s approval of the Pfizer vaccine for vaccination of children of this age group and subsequent recommendations by the Ministerial Advisory Committee.
Under section 24A of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, the minister said he had appointed a five-member appeal committee to adjudicate on the matter. The committee members are chairpersonadvocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Prof Salim Abdool Karim, Dr Stephen Schmidt, Dr Herman Edeling, and Prof Glenda Gray.
The matter is set down to be heard on February 11 and 14.
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