‘Parents, immunisation can save your child’s life’

NATIONAL – According to a media statement, more than a million children from across the world, including South Africa, die each year from preventable diseases.

Three in every 10 South African children do not receive all their vaccinations, leaving them vulnerable to deadly diseases that could easily have been prevented.

“Immunisation is one of the most successful and cost-effective means to save children’s lives and help them grow into healthy adults,” says Prof Charles Wiysonge, Deputy Director of the Centre for Evidence-based Health Care at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS).

“Immunisation is important in all stages of an individual’s life as it helps children and adolescents fight infectious diseases and restores waning immunity in adults. In addition to benefits to the individual who receives the vaccine, immunisation helps protect his or her family members, friends, and the community at large,” Wiysonge says.

Worldwide immunisation is estimated to prevent more than three million deaths each year that would have been caused by measles, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, pneumonia and diarrhoea.

“One in every four children in Africa is still not receiving the vaccinations he or she needs, says Wiysonge, who serves on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation as well as the African Task Force on Immunisation. Only 70% of children in South Africa receive all their vaccinations – this is less than the average for the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, which is estimated at 77% by the WHO and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

“It is within our power to close this immunisation gap. Increased political and financial commitments are required from African governments to maintain the current achievements and make progress. Parents, guardians, adolescents, adults, and health workers also need to understand the vital importance of keeping immunisations up to date,” Wiysonge concluded.

1.5 million children die each year from diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. These include: 476 000 deaths from pneumococcal disease, 453 000 deaths from rotavirus diarrhoea, 199 000 deaths from Haemophilus, influenza type B, 195 000 deaths from pertussis, 118 000 deaths from measles, and 59 000 deaths from neonatal tetanus.

Farmakon Pharmacy provides vaccinations for 6-10 and 10-14 week old babies and they are an agent for the Discovery Vitality program.For more information contact anyone of the Farmabond Pharmacies in Mokopane.