​Thembisa Shologu
All healthcare workers who received the first shot of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine will now receive a booster shot.
This forms part of the Sisonke Study which saw 496 424 health workers receiving a dose of the J&J vaccine to evaluate its effectiveness between 17 February and 17 May 2021.
The trial for the booster shot will commence on Monday, 8 November at selected vaccination sites across the country.
Healthcare workers will receive an SMS on the number they used to enrol for the first part of the study. 
Healthcare workers who wish to participate and have changed their cell phone numbers are advised not re-register on EVDS but call the National Hotline on 0800 029 999. 
"Based on this new information, and to bolster the immune response of our health workers ahead of a fourth wave, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has worked with the National Department of Health, SAHPRA and J&J to provide early access to Janssen® (J&J) vaccine booster doses for all health workers who received the first dose of this vaccine as part of the Sisonke study," said Co-National Investigator, Professor Linda-Gail Bekker.
Gail Bekker said the Sisonke Study is an important intervention to protect frontline healthcare workers. 
"Now it is important to ensure that protection is topped up with this boost ahead of potential new COVID-19 surges." 
Booster vaccinations are becoming available in many parts of the world. 
A new trial, Ensemble 2 evaluated a booster dose given at least two months after the first dose in 31 300 participants from more than nine countries.
Some countries offer booster doses to high-risk populations like the elderly and frontline workers.
Globally, vaccine efficacy has proven to be 100% against severe disease and critical disease. 
Despite this scientific evidence, only 30% of eligible adults in South Africa have been fully vaccinated. 
"Vaccines remain our most powerful weapon in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and our priority remains the most vulnerable groups, especially senior citizens or adults who live with compromised immunity in the majority, ahead of a fourth wave," said Health Acting Director-General, Dr Nicholas Crisp.