Pretoria - Cabinet has called on all South African parents and guardians, who have children between the ages of nine months and five years, to get them immunised against polio and measles.
The Department of Health on Tuesday launched the national polio and measles immunisation campaign, which targets children under the age of five, to prevent childhood diseases and deaths.
Polio and measles are highly infectious and life-threatening, often resulting in more than two million deaths a year, disability and impairment such as blindness and hearing loss.
The Health Department said the aim of the campaign was to reach 95% coverage of the population of 4 443 620 children under five years, of which 856 239 are under one year.
The first round of the campaign started will run until 17 May 2013. Polio drops will be given to children from birth to 59 months (just under five years), and measles vaccines to children from nine to 59 months.
The second round of the campaign will be from 17 - 28 June, where children from birth to 59 months will get polio drops only, and a repeat dose for those children who got polio drops during the first round.
Immunisation points have been set up at all health facilities, including clinics, crèches and pre-schools. Mobile clinics and temporary posts will be available in places such as shops and churches.
“As crèches and pre-schools will be visited for the campaign, the School Health team will be part of the immunisation teams that will visit these facilities.
“Social mobilisation and community outreach activities have been intensified to ensure that parents bring children to the designated points,” the department said during the launch of the campaign.
The department requested parents and caregivers to ensure that children under five years receive polio drops and measles injections, even if previously immunised.
Parents and caregivers are also requested to sign and return consent forms for immunisation of children who are in crèches and pre-schools.
Immunisation is free at public health facilities. – SAnews.gov.za
