JUST IN [Thread]:
1.@healthza's Lesley Broomberg:
An extra #COVID19 booster jab for people of 18+ in SA will become available towards the end of JANUARY
- People of 50+ qualify for a 5th dose
- People of 18+ qualify for a 4th dose
2. Lesley Broomberg: Can you mix and match with additional boosters? Yes. You can choose whether you want a #JnJ or #Pfizer booster.
3. Lesley Broomberg:
Will teens of 12-17 qualify for boosters? Not at this stage. Why not? The #VMAC = not recommended booster doses for 12-17, based on an understanding that the protection provided by 2 #Pfizer doses = adequate, as 12-17 = @ low risk of severe #COVID19 illness
4. Will @healthza buy bivalent #COVID19 vaccines? Not at this stage, but scientific advisory committees have been asked to review evidence of the efficacy of such jabs and to make recommendations on whether we should switch from our current vaccines to bivalent vaccines.
5. If scientific committees recommend that SA buys bivalent #COVID19 vaccines, can @healthza just go ahead and procure them? No. They would first need to be registered with @SAHPRA1 (none are currently registered).
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[Thread] #JoePhaahla:
- Genomic surveillance Network reported the detection of the new subvariant XBB.1.5 in SA of a sample of a patient tested on 22 Dec
- Details of the patient = not known, it was a random sample taken for testing
- XBB.1.5 = also common in US
2. XBB.1.5 = common in US
#JoePhaahla:
- 97%+ of #COVID19 cases worldwide = still #Omicron
- XBB.1.5 cases = no major change in hospitalisations or deaths
- Immunity of SAs (vax and natural immunity) = still strong, so that is why we haven't seen much change in terms of hospital admissions/deaths
Which APIs will Aspen use?
India's Serum Institute's
2. Why is it NB that an African company makes these jabs?
#Africa imports almost all its jabs. #COVID19 showed us this results in Africa being last in line to get vaccines during pandemics. The grant to Aspen is 1 of the 1st steps to change that.
3. What's the goal?
By 2040, the African Union wants #Africa to make 60% of the jabs the continent uses.
Why?
So that Africa is better equipped 2 respond 2 outbreaks (by developing the ability to make jabs + have technology in place to also make new jabs during pandemics).
🧵1. BREAKING: @SAHPRA1 has confirmed the registration of the #HIV prevention jab, #CABLA in South Africa. On Thursday, #ViiVHealthcare issued their statement.
2. Who can use the jab? @SAHPRA1 didn't specify restrictions for use in their statement, only that it is "a highly effective option for people at substantial risk of #HIV infection."
3. How does the jab work? It uses an #ARV called cabotegravir that prevents #HIV from replicating and entering someone’s cells. It’s taken every two months. Read my latest story for more. bit.ly/3ER7ejq
🧵1. @SAHPRA1 says it’s “days away” from announcing a decision on the registration of the #HIV prevention jab, #CABLA. The shot virtually wipes out your chances of contracting HIV through sex + needs to be taken every 2 months. bit.ly/3ER7ejq#WAD2022
2. How does the jab work? A bit like contraception, says @LindaGailBekker. “U take contraception before sex 2 prevent pregnancy. Similarly, u take the jab before being exposed 2 #HIV 2 prevent infection.” Listen 2 Linda-Gail on @bhekisisa’s #HealthBeat. bit.ly/3FjBlS8
3. What makes #CABLA work? An antiretroviral drug called cabotegravir. Some people with #HIV use it for treatment, along with other #ARVs. The drug prevents #HIV from entering your cells. bit.ly/3ER7ejq
🧵1. @HealthZA will offer #COVID19#Pfizer jabs 2 high-risk kids between 5 + 11 yrs on recommendation of the VMAC.
When? The #EVDS 1st needs 2 be updated, a circular needs to be issued + health workers need 2 be trained. Nicholas Crisp: "It will take at least a month."
2. What counts as a high-risk condition?
Chronic respiratory disease
Chronic heart conditions
Chronic conditions of the kidney, liver, digestive system
Immunosuppression
Endocrine disorders
Chronic neurological disease
Asplenia
Genetic abnormalities
3. Will SA buy pediatric #COVID19 formulations?
Not necessarily.
Crisp: "The demand will be very small and all controlled by medical practitioners so we'll try fractionation."
How does fractional dosing work? You take 1/3 of the adult dose (kids = 10µg, adult doses = 30µg ).
[Thread] 1. SA saw its 1st confirmed #monkeypox case last week. Will there be more cases? YES. Why? The 1st case doesn’t have a travel history so he (a 30 year old man from Jhb) contracted it from someone in SA who already had it. bit.ly/3QNA7SH
2. How do you get #monkeypox? Through close contact, e.g. hugging, kissing, sex, or contaminated materials, e.g. shared linen or cutlery. It’s much harder to contract monkeypox than #COVID19. The @nicd_sa's Jackie Weyer explains it in this sound clip:
3. What’s the most telling #monkeypox symptom? Blisters on your skin. The blisters don’t have to be all over your body, they can, for instance, just be on your genitals, hands or face. The @nicd_sa's Jackie Weyer explains in this sound clip: