The Department of Health will soon launch its nation wide campaign aimed at promoting the National Immunisation Week and raise public awareness around the importance of immunisation.
The annual event, scheduled to run between 1 to 9 August will coincide with the commencement of the national roll-out of the Rotarix Vaccine which is used in the prevention of diarrhoea among young children. Rotarix is one of the two vaccines that were launched in the Eastern Cape in September 2008, the other being Pneumococcal Conjugate which is used for the prevention of threatening diseases that are caused streptococcus pneumonia. The latter vaccine was rolled-out in April 2009 already as part of the department's expanded programme on immunisation.
Rotavirus infection is known to cause diarrhoea among children below the age of five years and it can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and death. This problem is particularly common in under-developed and developing countries as infected children may not reach a hospital in time and are thus likely to succumb to the disease.
The introduction of these two vaccines (at no cost in public health
facilities) is expected to significantly reduce child illnesses and deaths in the country and assist towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) particularly those relating to infant and child mortality.
The Department of Health requests parents, care-givers, educators amongst others to take full advantage of these vaccines and help reverse preventable deaths among children and infants. Members of the public are welcome to visit their health facility to gain more information on these vaccines.
For more information contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Tel: 012 312 0663
Cell: 079 517 3333
Issued by: Department of Health
26 July 2009
