The National Department of Health plans to conduct an integrated measles and polio campaign to protect the health of young children.
The department plans to achieve at least 95 per cent measles vaccine coverage in children aged six months to 59 months and a 90 per cent oral polio vaccine (OPV) coverage in children aged nought months to 59 months.
The Ekurhuleni Metro will also take part in the mass immunisation campaign that will be carried out at all primary health care facilities in Ekurhuleni.
Vaccinations will be conducted in two rounds during the allocated period.
The second immunisation round will be communicated closer to the date.
Ekurhuleni spokesperson, Themba Gadebe, said prevention is better than cure.
“The municipality encourages parents to bring their children to be immunised irrespective of their immunisation status,” Gadebe said.
In addition, the integrated campaign will also afford opportunities for nutritional screening in children aged six – 59 months by conducting a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) screening test.
Parents are reminded to ensure they bring along their child’s clinic card.
Details of the vaccination process are as follows:
The first immunisation round will include the following treatment:
*Measles vaccine for six-59 months.
*Vitamin A for 12 – 59.
*Mebendazole deworming tablets for four – 59 months.
*Nutritional screening for six – 59 months.
The second immunisation round, which will be communicated closer to the date, will include oral polio vaccine for nought – 59 months.
