Child immunisations can’t fall by the wayside
17 July 2020
With a marked decrease in the number of immunisations in recent months, City Health appeals to parents to adhere to their children’s immunisation schedules to prevent health complications in future.
The City of Cape Town’s Health Department is worried about future child disease pandemics like measles if the immunisation rate does not pick up.
In recent months, there has been a 67% drop in the number of immunisations carried out at City clinics, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decline is of concern, since immunisation of children helps to prevent death and reduces suffering from childhood diseases like measles, polio, diphtheria and tuberculosis.
Children receive 16 immunisations between birth and the age of 12. Of these, 14 are administered in the first 18 months of their lives.
‘If a large number of children is not adequately covered by the full immunisation schedule as outlined in the road to health booklet, it can result in the spread of communicable diseases like measles, particularly as children congregate at school or crèche, which aids transmission. The City realises that parents might be hesitant to bring their children to the clinic while we try to navigate the risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but if we do not act swiftly, we could be faced with another pandemic in the future.
‘Measles is particularly problematic, as it is a highly contagious infection. And, while it appears to be quite a mild disease, it has a high rate of complications. It is also the one childhood disease that requires a two-dose vaccination, first at six months and then again at 12 months. The statistics of the past few months suggest that we have fallen behind, and so I urge parents to bring their children to the clinic as soon as possible if their immunisation schedule is not up to date,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
As part of its efforts to remedy the situation, City Health has started opening overflow facilities to allow for the separation of general healthcare and COVID-19 care at most of its clinics.
In addition, staff have been sensitised to:
Emphasise the need for vaccinations when children visit the clinics
Prioritise the measles vaccinations
Follow up on missed appointments
Check the Road to Health booklets, even if a child is visiting the clinic for another ailment
Check a child’s immunisation status even if they are just accompanying their parent or caregiver to the clinic
‘The onus cannot be on clinic staff alone, though. We need parents and caregivers to do their bit by making their appointments and bringing the children to the clinics for these immunisations. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many of our general health outreach activities being suspended, so we are not able to get out to communities. We therefore rely on the public to bring their children to the clinic so that we can invest in their good health together,’ added Councillor Badroodien.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
