The North West Department of Health MEC, Dr. Magome Masike is calling upon all parents to take their children for immunisation at the nearest clinic. A special immunisation against Pneumococcal disease is scheduled to begin on 1 February until the 30th of May 2012.
All children aged 18 months to 36 months i.e. (3 years), will receive an extra dose of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine at their local clinics free of charge.
All high- risk children that are younger than 6 years of age, including children living with HIV, diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure and other conditions will be given 2 pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, 8 weeks apart.
Parents are therefore urged to take with them their children’s Road to Health Card/ Booklet to their nearest clinic and join the Department of Health in the fight against pneumococcal disease.
It is estimated that up to 1 million children under the age of five die from pneumococcal disease which includes pneumococcal meningitis, pneumonia and bacteraemia every year.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
Special immunisation against Pneumococcal disease in North West
Province
