As KwaZulu Natal Health Department we appeal to the media to come on board as partners in the quest to ensure that all the children of the province are immunised.
It will be remembered that earlier this year South Africa experienced a country-wide shortage of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).
South Africa has now replenished the stocks. As from 18 August the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health embarked on a catch up immunisation drive at the hospitals, clinics and crèche’s for children in the following categories:
- All children who have never been immunised.
- Those who have missed their doses of immunisation or missed their immunisation altogether.
- Those that stopped taking their children for immunisation because they have lost their Road to Health cards/booklet.
- All other children due for their routine immunisation.
We thus appeal to the media to assist the department in creating awareness that will make all parents or legal guardians to heed this call to get their children immunised.
Our emphasis here is the fact that immunising of children is crucial in the prevention of childhood diseases and creation of life-long immunity (general defense against diseases).
Again, we emphasise the fact that we are in a position to cover all those who missed out as would be indicated in their Road of Health booklet for each new born where it will be clearly marked that no OPV vaccination has been received. Our health facilities have also been keeping track of these details accordingly. We are indeed ready for the catch-up phase as we will be utilising our Community Care Givers to assist and also to trace mothers and babies that missed out earlier. The Polio Vaccination is now available and let us all work to ensure that all our children are protected.
I thank you.
Enquiries:
Desmond Motha
Cell: 083 295 3901
