Pneumonia and diarrhoea are worldwide public health problems and together account for about half the deaths in children below the age of five.
Studies indicate that in South Africa, pneumonia related deaths in children less than five years of age have increased, killing more children than any other illnesses such as malaria and measles combined. Deaths account for almost 20 per cent worldwide, with an approximated 85 per cent of these occurring in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Invasive pneumococcal diseases which include pneumonia, meningitis and bacteraemia are a major cause of disease in the world. The burden of pneumococcal disease and the associated deaths is even higher in HIV infected individuals.
To combat the spread of invasive pneumococcal disease in infants; the National Department of Health has added a new vaccine, Prevenar, to the immunisation schedule in the country.
Prevenar was distributed to primary health care facilities in the Western Cape and implemented from 01 July 2009, to continue in the following manner:
* Six week old infants will receive their first dose of the vaccine
* A second dose at 14 weeks will be received by these infants and
* A third and last dose at nine months.
Contact:
Sithembiso Magubane
Cell: 073 662 5482
Issued by: Department of Health, Western Cape Provincial Government
15 July 2009
Source: Department of Health, Western Cape Provincial Government
(http://www.capegateway.gov.za)
