This morning, more than 100 children under the age of five received their first dose of polio drops and measles vaccine at Thusanang Daycare Centre in Muldersdrift, West Rand.
The beneficiaries were children who attend at this crèche as well as those who were brought in by parents to be immunised from the neighbourhood.
This initiative conducted by health workers in Gauteng is part of a national polio and measles immunisation campaign which aims at eliminating these diseases in the country.
The mass campaign started yesterday, Monday 29 April and will end on the 17th of May 2013. The second phase of polio immunization campaign which will target children from nine months to five years will be from the 17th until the 28th of June 2013.
During this period, children will be immunized at clinics. Professional nurses will also visit schools, crèches, informal settlements and other community places to bring the service even closer to the people.
Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo 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 and measles injection 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.
Enquiries:
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
