One million children immunised against measles, says province
Parents are urged to immunise their children as reported cases rise.
The Gauteng health department recently announced that a million children have been immunised against measles.
The measles outbreak has been growing in recent weeks as the department said there are 74 measles reported cases in the province. This is an increase of 14 cases from the 60 cases announced last week.
There are 52 cases from the Ekurhuleni district, seven from Johannesburg, 11 from Tshwane, four cases from West Rand and none from Sedibeng.
“Parents and caregivers are encouraged to sign consent forms permitting school health teams to administer measles immunisation to their little ones,” the department said in a social media post.
“Parents with little ones who are not yet at early childhood development centres or schools can take them to their local clinics for immunisation.”
Earlier this month, Tshwane health MMC Rina Marx said the metro was monitoring the newly confirmed patients closely and 17 dated back to May last year.
Marx said the national health department recommended the vaccination of children from six months to 15 years old to combat the outbreak.
The metro in partnership with Holani Clinic also conducted a vaccination drive when they visited Pula Difate primary school in Mamelodi to vaccinate the young learners.
Parents are urged to immunise their children and look out for the following symptoms:
– Fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis (red eyes) and a runny nose.
– Measles complications can include diarrhoea, dehydration, brain infection, blindness and death.
Serious complications can occur in infants and malnourished children.
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