Resumption of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination for adolescent and adults in regional health facilities

The Ministry of Health of Seychelles will restart offering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adults and adolescents 12 years and older, at regional Government health centres, as from 9^th March 2023.

This is in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), relevant scientific research and discussions with the manufacturer, has issued a notice that shelf-life of all batches of the adult/adolescent formulation of Pfizer vaccines can be extended to 18 months from date of manufacture.

The communiqué has been discussed at the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group and the recommendations sent to the Ministry of Health. The Ministry has maintained the adult/adolescent formulation Pfizer doses in ideal storage conditions in expectation of such an extension, and as such has deemed them valid for use through to 30^th June 2023.

The Ministry of Health also notes that similar research is underway globally, for ascertaining stability of the paediatric formulation of the Pfizer vaccine, beyond its labelled shelf life.

Vaccines for children aged 5-11 years will also be on offer at the same centres. The key recommendations for vaccination by age-groups are as follows:

Children 5-11 years (paediatric formulation)

• 1^st and 2^nd doses only, 3 to 12 weeks apart.

Adolescents 12-17 years (adult/adolescent formulation)

• 1^st and 2^nd doses, 3 to 12 weeks apart.
• 3^rd dose, at least four months after 2^nd

Adults 18y+ (adult/adolescent formulation)

• 1^st and 2^nd doses, 3 to 12 weeks apart.
• 3^rd dose, at least 4 months after 2^nd
• 4^th dose, at least 4 months after 3^rd

Notes:

• Adults with underlying medical conditions that increase risk for severe disease can access an additional 5^th dose, at least 6 months after 4^th
• Anyone with recent COVID-19 infection are advised to wait at least one month, and ideally
• Other vaccines can be administered at and around the time of COVID-19 vaccination.
• Dates/times for offer of Pfizer vaccines for children 5-11 years may differ from dates for adolescents/adults.

Reference: Official Communication from Dr Rogério Gaspar, Director of Regulation and Prequalification Department, World Health Organisation, dated 1 February 2023.

For additional information, please see (URLs):

https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/expiration-dating-extension

https://www.fda.gov/media/164184/download

https://www.fda.gov/media/153713/download

Health facilities	DAYS	TIME
English River	Wednesday	8.00am-3.00pm
English River	Saturday	8.00am-12.00pm
Les Mammelles	Wednesday	8.00pm-3.00pm
Anse Aux Pins	Monday	8.00am-3.00pm
Anse Royale	Tuesday	8.00am-3.00pm
Anse Boileau	Friday	8.00am-3.00pm
Beau Vallon	Tuesday	8.00am-2.00pm
Baie St Anne Praslin	Wednesday	8.00am-3.00pm
La Digue	Wednesday	1.00pm-3.00pm

 

COVID-19 VACCINATION SCHEDULE FOR CHILDREN AGE 5-11YEARS OLD/ ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS

 The schedule for administration of Covid-19 Vaccination to children aged 5-11-year-old, remain the same in all health centres until 28^th April, 2023.

For more information please contact the Chief Executive Officer of the Health Care Agency on 4388000 or email: ceo.hca@health.gov.sc