Cape Town: The City Health asks parents to check the vaccination status of their children and to get all the important jobs related to vaccination done at the nearest clinic.
Reportedly, South Africa’s vaccination schedule sees most of the vaccinations administered in the first year of a child’s life.
Notably, the schedule also includes booster doses at the age of 6 and 12. Children are issued with the Road to Health booklet soon after birth, which helps in keeping track of their vaccination status.
According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health – Councillor Patricia van der Ross said that the drop in the number of child vaccinations in the various categories is of concern, and it must turn the tide.
She added that Vaccinations are critical to the health and well-being of our children and to mitigate the risk of serious illness or complications. “Less than a year ago, we had to navigate a measles outbreak in the metro that serves as a reminder of the importance of timely vaccinations and booster doses,” said Patricia.
Councillor Patricia van der Ross also mentioned that if anyone is unsure of anything they can ask the clinic staff about the assisting and management.
Since past two years, City clinics have recorded the following vaccination statistics:
- For the period July 2021 to June 2022: 37,639 children of age 1 year were fully immunised. 34,930 children were given hexavalent 4th 16,241 children of 6 years were given Td dose. 7,126 children of age 12 years were given Td dose.
- For the years July 2022 to June 2023; 29,736 children of age 1 year were fully immunised. 30,029 children were given Hexavalent 4th 12,915 children of age 6 were given Td dose. 5,779 children of age 12 were given a Td dose.
A piece of useful information for caregivers was also released. South Africa follows the World Health Organisation’s vaccination guidelines, which mean administering vaccinations that provide protection against diseases such as polio, measles, whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, meningitis, pneumonia, hepatitis and rotavirus (which causes diarrhoea) and BCG (to prevent severe Tuberculosis).
- In the public sector, children receive 16 immunisations between birth and the age of 12. 14 are administered in the first 18 months of their lives.
- Children who are not up to date with the vaccination schedule can still get the vaccinations.
- Necessary Documents required for vaccinations are the caregiver’s ID, the child’s birth certificate and their Road to Health Booklet.
- If you don’t have the documents, you can still visit the clinic and the child will be vaccinated.
- If, in any case, you have lost the Road to Health book, inform healthcare workers so that a copy of the booklet can be issued.