Health Minister Joe Phaahla has appointed an appeal committee to adjudicate a matter between the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) and an organisation opposing Covid-19 vaccination for children aged 12 to 17.

In October 2021, the government announced that it would open Covid-19 vaccination to children aged 12 to 17.

"This was in line with Sahpra's then approval of the Pfizer vaccine for the vaccination of children in this age group, and subsequent recommendations by the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC)," a statement by the Department of Health read.

In a briefing on Friday, the minister said as of Thursday evening, 1 112 000 first vaccine doses were administered to children. In total, 1 276 000 first and second doses have been administered.

Following the decision to vaccinate children, disputes were declared by some sectors of society, including Free the Children – Save the Nation, that formally appealed the decision.

The organisation said children were at virtually no risk from coronavirus and therefore did not require vaccination for their protection.

Following the formal appeal of the decision, the minister says he has appointed a five-member appeal committee to adjudicate on the matter, in terms of Section 24A of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Act No. 101 of 1965) as amended.

According to the health department, the committee members will be:

• Chairperson: advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC
• Committee member: Professor Salim Abdool Karim
• Committee member: Dr Stephen Schmidt
• Committee member: Dr Herman Edeling
• Committee member: Professor Glenda Gray

"The appeal committee met on Monday, 31 January 2021 and unanimously agreed that the matter will be heard on Friday, 11 and Monday, 14 February 2022 from 09:00," the department said.