The Gauteng Department of Health is calling on parents and carers to bring their children to the nearest clinic for measles vaccination. The department is rolling out an outreach campaign to vaccinate children between 6 months and 15 years against measles.
The department has put together a vaccination outreach team that is educating the public and also vaccinating children in clinics and near homes. The outreach will cover the whole province and is already reaching areas around north-eastern parts of City of Johannesburg, Tembisa, Ivory Park, Winnie Mandela and Freedom Park.
Through this campaign the department is aiming to vaccinate all children within the age bracket of 6 months and 15 years irrespective of their vaccination status.
During the festive season, the movement of people will pose a risk to the containment and prevention of the disease. It is for this reason that the department urges all parents and caregivers to ensure that their children are vaccinated.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It spreads through the air as a result of coughing and sneezing. Measles commonly presents with high fever, a typical rash appears. Although there is no rash at the onset of the fever and flu- like symptoms, the patient is highly contagious during this time before the rash appears. A non-productive cough is usually present throughout the feverish period, persisting for one to two weeks in uncomplicated cases, often being the last symptom to disappear.
For more information:
Prince Hamnca, Head of Communications
Cell: 076 744 8126
Tel: 011 355 3268
