Vaccinate your child
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% measles vaccine coverage in children aged six months to 59 months, and a 90% oral polio vaccine (OPV) coverage in children from birth to 59 months.
The Ekurhuleni Metro will participate 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, from September 12 to 30, and the second round from September 30 to November 11.
“Prevention is better than cure and we encourage parents to bring their children to be immunised, irrespective of their immunisation status,” says spokesman for the metro Themba Gadebe.
In addition, the integrated campaign will also afford opportunities for nutritional screening in children aged six months to 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:
First immunisation round:
• Measles vaccine – six to 59 months.
• Vitamin A – 12 to 59 months.
• Mebendazole deworming tablets – four to 59 months.
• Nutritional screening – six to 59 months.
Second immunusation round:
• Oral polio vaccine – birth to 59 months.
