By: Kelebogile Matlou
Guateng Health Department encourages parents and guardians to have their children vaccinated at regular times as outlined in the Road to Health Care booklet (EPI schedule) to prevent them from diseases like as polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis, measles, and meningitis.
Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, a Gauteng MEC at the Department of Health, stated, “We have realized that there are a number of schools and young people who need to be vaccinated.” We have already immunized a huge number of children ranging in age from 6 months to 15 years. Our goal is to immunize four million children between the ages I just mentioned, because measles is one of the most dangerous diseases we must combat.”
The first dose of measles vaccine is given at 6 months, followed by the second dose at 12 months. Children who miss a planned dosage will receive a catch-up immunization. They advise parents and guardians to visit their local clinic to complete their child’s immunization schedule.
Mpho Mokala, a mother of a three-month-old girl, stated that her child has been vaccinated, that she is OK, that nothing has occurred to her child, and that she will take her baby to obtain another vaccine when she reaches the age of six months. She doesn’t care what other people think.
Measles is a highly contagious illness that can be deadly or even fatal to young children. To avoid it, parents should immunize their children with both injections. Everyone above the age of one should be immunized against measles.
The vaccine is free at municipal clinics and other public health institutions, however it is not free in private clinics or with doctors. Cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and rash are symptoms.
