Gauteng health urges parents to take children for immunisation

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is urging parents, caregivers, and communities to ensure children are fully immunised.

It warned that failure to do so places young lives at risk and undermines their right to a healthy life.

This call coincides with South Africa’s observance of National Child Protection Week, from 29 May to 5 June 2025.

The department on Thursday emphasised that protecting children from preventable diseases is a vital part of honouring their constitutional right to life, health, and dignity.

Alarming drop in vaccination rates

Despite immunisation services being freely available at all public health facilities in the province, coverage remains below target.

According to departmental data, only 82.3% of children under the age of one were fully vaccinated in the 2024/25 financial year, short of the 90% target.

The second dose of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine recorded an even lower uptake at 78.4%, against the provincial goal of 92%.

“Failing to complete a child’s immunisation schedule is not just a medical oversight, it is a silent threat to their well-being, and a subtle form of neglect,” said Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.

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Sedibeng district leading

The department highlighted disparities in coverage across districts. Sedibeng is leading the way, achieving 98% full immunisation for children under one and 96.1% for the MR second dose.

However, metropolitan districts such as Tshwane (76.6%), Ekurhuleni (78.6%), and Johannesburg (85%) continue to underperform.

One of the contributing factors is poor adherence to follow-up vaccination appointments.

The GDoH said it will strengthen public awareness on the importance of completing vaccination schedules and implement coordinated school holiday campaigns, working with Integrated School Health Programme (ISH) teams and outbreak response units.

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‘Immunisation is a right, not a choice’

Children are vaccinated according to the national Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) schedule, from birth to 12 years old.

Each vaccine visit is recorded in the Road to Health Booklet, which parents must present at every clinic appointment.

The department is also intensifying efforts to track children who missed routine vaccines, particularly in underserved areas, and will continue to offer outreach services to close these gaps.

“This Child Protection Week, we must all recommit to protecting the rights of our children by ensuring they receive every scheduled vaccine on time, because a healthy child is a protected child,” Nkomo-Ralehoko said.

GDoH reminded parents that ensuring a child is fully immunised is not only a health responsibility, but also a moral and legal obligation under South Africa’s child protection laws.

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