Data shows the most common underlying cause of death among youngsters who contracted Covid-19 during the third wave was HIV infection
SA should consider vaccinating adolescents against the coronavirus after data showed that the most common underlying cause of death among youngsters who contracted Covid-19 during the third wave was HIV infection, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases said.
People younger than 19-years-old accounted for about 12% of SA's confirmed Covid-19 cases at the end of August, according to data from the institute. Those with underlying conditions, such as an HIV infection or diabetes, are more prone to hospitalisation and death when they contract the coronavirus.
In the 18 months through August28 the number of children with Covid-19 who died in hospital while also having an HIV infection was 50, according to the NICD. Diabetes afflicted 24 of the children who died and hypertension 21. So far SA has fully vaccinated 7.7-million of its almost 40-million adults, but is yet to roll out the shots to those younger than 18. Pfizer and BioNTech's inoculation has, however, been approved for use by those aged 12 to 18 by the national health regulator.
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