Eswatini introduces Covid-19 Vaccination Booster Doses

Eswatini Daily News
By: Nomzamo Jiyane
26 November 2021

Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi has announced that the Ministry will begin rolling out Covid 19 vaccination booster doses to fully vaccinated people from Monday 29 November 2021.

This follows after reports that neighboring countries South Africa and Botswana have identified a new coronavirus variant Omicron (previously known as B.1.1.529) which has triggers sudden global alarm and travel bans.

The booster shots will only be available to those aged 18 and above.  Those who have received AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech and Mordena vaccines can take a booster at least six months after completing their primary Covid 19 vaccination series while those who received Johnson &Johnson vaccine can receive a booster at least two months after the primary shots. Minister Nkosi said, “Vaccination in Eswatini is open to all people living in the country who are twelve years and above.

The Ministry would like to encourage the whole nation to vaccinate ahead of imminent forth wave and protect themselves and their loved ones from severe Covid 19 disease and reduce their chances of dying from Covid 19 related illnesses”.

Evidence has shown that vaccine effectiveness against infection and mild Covid 19 diseases may decrease with time and that currently authorized Covid 19 vaccine may be less effective against the emerging variant which could contribute to increased transmission of infections.
A schedule for booster shots will be available on http://eswatinihealth.org/schedule-communities/