Department steps up vaccination drive

The Gauteng Department of Health is this month stepping up the pneumonia vaccination campaign to reach more children in the province.

Nurses from the provincial office will be joining the campaign in hospitals to assist with the vaccination. Children recovering from surgery, those infected with HIV and AIDS and others will be covered.

Close to 166 500 children have been vaccinated since the campaign started in February. Children from the age of 18 months to 71 months are eligible for vaccination whether in good health or not.

Pneumonia is a common illness and a major cause of death among children.  The campaign aims at reducing the number of children dying from this disease. The incidence of pneumonia in children under the age of five has shown a decrease in Gauteng from 60.2 per 1 000 in 2009 to 57.3 per 1 000 in 2011.

A total of 455 children were admitted to hospitals in March this year. This is a reduction when compared to the 594 that were admitted in the same period last year.

Parents and care givers are urged to take children to their nearest clinics to be vaccinated.

Enquiries:
Simon Zwane
082 551 9892