Velisha Thompson of the City of Johannesburg writes:
The second round of the integrated measles, polio, vitamin A, deworming and nutrition screening campaign will get underway from 6 to 24 February next year.
The first round of the mass immunisation vaccinations will take place from 31 October to 18 November this year as part of the national Department of Health programme.
The primary objective of mass immunisation campaigns is to eradicate polio and eliminate measles. By giving measles and polio vaccine to as many children as possible, in a short period over a large geographical area, transmission of measles and wild poliovirus is interrupted. For campaigns to be effective, special efforts are necessary to reach children who are often missed by the routine immunisation services.
Campaigns have been effective strategies for elimination of targeted disease and have contributed to child mortality reduction. The polio and measles campaign dose acts as an additional booster dose if a child is already fully immunised. Therefore the campaign dose is given irrespective of the child’s immunisation status.
The following services will be rendered during the first round of the campaign:
- Measles vaccine injection to prevent the measles disease. It will be given to all children aged six months to 59 months.
- Vitamin A supplementation drops to assist in strengthening the immune system. It will be given to all children aged 12 months to 59 months.
The following services will be rendered during the second round of the campaign:
- Mebendazole deworming tablets to prevent children from intestinal worm infestation. It will be given to all children aged 24 months to 59 months.
- Polio vaccine drops will be given to all children from birth to 59 months.
These services will be rendered on the same day for each child who qualifies regardless of whether they have received these services before. All services rendered will be recorded in the Road to Health booklet.
Parents are urged to send the Road to Health booklet to your child’s crèche/pre-school. However, if you don’t have the booklet, the services will still be provided.
If you have any questions, contact your nearest clinic and parents are encouraged to ensure their children are immunised, as it can save their lives.
