The health and well being of children will come under sharp focus when the Department of Health embarks on the National Immunisation Awareness Week from 2 to 8 August.
During this period, the department and its partners will be mobilising the public to immunise children as part of reducing child mortality caused by diseases such polio, whooping cough and diphtheria.
According to the Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, immunisation forms an essential part of primary healthcare which is crucial in preventing the onset of diseases among young children in particular.
During the awareness week, the department will also inform and educate the public about the available vaccines at various health centres as well as the benefits of immunisation.
The department will also encourage parents and caregivers to take their children to health facilities for screening their immunisation status on their Road To Health cards as well as offer catch-up vaccinations for all children not fully immunised for age.
According to current health reports, 2008/09 on children, the Department of Health achieved 88,8 percent immunisation coverage for children under one year of age nationally while 73 percent of children under the age five were immunised in the same period. No measles outbreaks were reported for 2008/09.
Despite the non-occurrence of measles in 2008/09 period, the department strongly believes that the immunisation of South African children against measles will have to be strengthened going forward.
The provincial Departments of Health have planned various activities for the Immunisation Awareness Week such as community, school, clinics and hospital visits as well as conduct immunisation catch up activities with this year's theme: "Immunisation saves lives: don't wait, vaccinate".
For more information please contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Tel: 012 395 8493
Cell: 079 517 3333
