With 11 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in the Western Cape, parents, guardians and caregivers have been urged to take their children to get vaccinated at the province’s public or private healthcare facilities.
Also read: Measles outbreak declared in Cape Town, vaccinations underway
As reported by IOL, 545 121 measles vaccines have been administered, with private pharmacies, clinics and healthcare providers administering an additional 18 284 measles vaccines as part of the provincial measles vaccination campaign.
According to the provincial health department, this equates to 32% of the 1 727 392 children under the age of 15 who must be vaccinated by the end of March.
The following is a breakdown of measles vaccines administered provincially as of March 15, 2023:
- Cape Metro: 279 888 (25% coverage rate)
- Cape Winelands: 48 534 (40% coverage rate).
- Central Karoo: 11 389 (54% coverage rate).
- Garden Route: 72 920 (46% coverage rate).
- Overberg: 32 961 (42% coverage rate).
- West Coast: 48 534 (40% coverage rate).
“Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent measles,” said Sonia Botha, the coordinator of the Western Cape’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation.
She continued, “And when enough children 6 months to 15 years of age get vaccinated against measles, the more we can stop future outbreaks.”
Botha said that the target is for a large proportion of eligible children to be vaccinated against measles and that support from parents is very important.
“This will help to ensure that we avoid any complications from the measles disease and keep our children safe. Unvaccinated children can still access a free measles vaccine at a clinic or at a minimal cost at one of our private partners. The vaccine is also being offered at several schools,” said Botha.
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