To kick off the second round of polio immunisation campaign, the Gauteng Department of Health is this morning providing second dose of polio drops to more 100 children under the age of five at Phomolong Informal Settlement in Mamelodi, Tshwane.
In addition to immunising children, health workers will also have stalls where they will educate communities on amongst other illnesses TB; HIV Counseling and Testing; Medical Male Circumcision and Immunisation.
The polio immunisation campaign which aims at eliminating this illness in the country will be spread to other communities, clinics, crèches and schools kicks off today and it will run until Friday, 28 June 2013.
Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo, who has joined the health workers in their efforts in Tshwane this morning, encourages mothers to take their children for regular checkups and vaccinations so that they are protected against illnesses.
“There are over 1 million children under the age of five in Gauteng and we are targeting to reach at least 95% by the end of this campaign,” said MEC Papo.
He also urges parents to cooperate by signing and returning the consent form which have been given to their children to crèches for children to be immunised.
“Parents should remember that the polio drops is in addition to scheduled ones received and recorded on the child’s immunisation chart and it is safe for children to receive the extra dosage, it will not harm them in any way,” emphasised MEC Papo.
Journalist are invited to attend
Date: Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Time: 1h00
Venue: Phomolong Informal Settlement, Mamelodi, Tshwane
Enquiries:
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
