Gauteng health urges parents to catch up on missed child vaccinations

Gauteng Health MEC Faith Mazibuko has urged parents and caregivers to ensure children receive their routine vaccinations on time, warning that missed immunisations leave them vulnerable to preventable diseases.

The call follows visits to communities by Mazibuko and health teams, which revealed that many children under the age of five had missed scheduled vaccinations.

According to the Gauteng Department of Health, immunisation coverage during the first quarter of the 2026/ 27 financial year remained below target. Coverage among children under one year was 72%, while 70.7% had received their second dose of the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine at one year.

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The West Rand recorded the highest coverage among Gauteng’s five health districts, at 90.6% for children under one and 86.3% for the second MR dose.

Tshwane recorded the lowest coverage, at 59.2% among children under one and 58.7% for the second MR dose. Sedibeng followed at 69.5% and 69.1%, respectively.

The department warned that low immunisation coverage increases the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

“This decline is concerning, as it increases children’s vulnerability to the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, which can result in severe illness, long-term complications and even death,” Mazibuko said.

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“It is important for parents to ensure that children receive all scheduled vaccinations on time and complete their immunisation programme.”

Parents urged to catch up on missed vaccinations

Parents whose children have missed vaccinations are urged to visit their nearest healthcare facility for catch-up immunisation.

“We also urge parents to bring children who have missed vaccinations to their nearest healthcare facility for catch-up immunisation without delay. Vaccination remains one of the most effective and proven public health interventions for preventing disease, disability and death,” Mazibuko said.

Parents are encouraged to take their child’s Road to Health Booklet to every clinic visit.

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The booklet records a child’s immunisations, growth and nutrition, developmental milestones and oral health. It also helps healthcare workers monitor children and provide necessary screenings and preventive care.The department reminded parents that children aged between six months and five years should visit a healthcare facility every six months for vitamin A supplementation and deworming treatment.

These interventions support healthy growth, strengthen immunity and help prevent nutritional deficiencies and parasitic infections.

Parents have also been urged to be alert to symptoms of vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly among children who have missed routine immunisations.

Warning signs include fever, rash, persistent cough, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, jaundice, severe headaches and seizures.

Parents who have lost their child’s Road to Health Booklet should still visit their nearest healthcare facility.

“Healthcare workers are ready to assist and provide catch-up immunisations where required, ensuring that every child is protected from vaccine-preventable diseases and allowed a healthier and brighter future,” the department said.

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The Gauteng Department of Health has previously called on parents and caregivers to ensure children receive all required vaccine doses according to the national immunisation schedule.

Source: South African Government News Agency (SAnews).

Caption 1: Gauteng Health MEC Faith Mazibuko has urged parents to ensure children are up to date with routine vaccinations.
Caption 2: Parents and caregivers are encouraged to take children who have missed vaccinations to their nearest healthcare facility for catch-up immunisation.