At the end of August, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) confirmed to the City Times that there was a measles outbreak in the Actonville community which was reported during July and August.
The vaccinations, which is part of the department’s Containment Vaccinations Campaign, will take place at the Actonville Community Centre from 9am to 4pm for those who want to attend, said Ward 29 Clr Haseena Ismail.
“We urge parents to come along with their children to vaccinate against measles,” said Dr Chika Asomugha, Gauteng Department of Health senior advisor.
“In South Africa, vaccinations are not mandatory but it is useful.”
Asomugha explained that although some vaccines need to be taken at the required age such as TB vaccines, measles vaccines can be taken at any age.
The City Times spoke to two schools who said they had confirmed cases of measles.
“We advised the parents to collect their children’s homework so they do not miss out on school,” said Benoni Junior School principal Pranisha Mansingh.
“We had nurses who came out to Pioneer Primary School to vaccinate the children, with their parents’ consent,” said the deputy principal of the school, Shamini Naidoo.
Asomugha said approximately 1 250 children, teachers and ground staff were vaccinated at Benoni Junior and Pioneer Primary schools.
A Lakefield resident, who did not want to be named, said her daughter (15) was tested and confirmed she had measles on September 8.
“The doctor gave her medication for her fever and to stop the itchiness on her body,” the resident said.
The contagious disease saw to it that the 15-year-old has missed school for more than a week and her mother missed work to tend to her daughter’s needs.
Also read: #knowyourbenoni – Northmead resident hooked on his hobby
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