It will be available for anyone over the age of 18 and must be taken six months after the second dose.

Pfizer says the booster will be effective against the Omicron variant.

Mosa Moshabela from UKZN says the lack of research on mixing and matching vaccines is disappointing.

"We've been wanting the Pfizer vaccine to become available for people who have conditions associated with weak immune systems, as well as people who are 60 years and above. So that's really good news which means we could make booster shots available for those groups," he said.

"What was a little bit disappointing for me was that SAHPRA remained neutral about the mix and match, essentially saying they didn't have the evidence to review.

"Recognising that a lot of people are interested in the mix and match of Pfizer after J&J so there's no conclusion there, unfortunately."

eNCA