National Polio, Measles and Immunisation Campaign, 29 April - 17 May 2014

The Department of Health carries out two immunisation rounds every year. The first round covers polio and measles and takes place between 29 April and 17 May. The second round covers only polio and will run between 17 and 28 June. To reach expected coverage, among others, the campaign will embark on the following activities:

• Inform and educate the public about the Polio eradication and Measles elimination campaign
• Communicate the benefits of elimination so as to ensure uptake of the vaccine by targeted groups
• Develop capacities of vaccinators, supervisors and other health workers involved in the campaign: to plan, implement, supervise, monitor and evaluate activities of the campaign.

The World Health Organisation is supporting the department to successfully carry out the planned immunisation. The department recommended that children under the age of five be immunised against the most common childhood diseases. In 2006 the overall routine immunisation coverage for South Africa was less than 80% and some districts still had less than 60% immunisation coverage.

Dangerous childhood diseases such as measles and polio, with potential fatal complications especially in small children can be prevented most effectively. Immunisations for childhood vaccine preventable diseases are available free of charge at public health clinics.

The last case of polio was reported in South Africa in 1989. But as long as there are still cases of wild poliovirus anywhere in the world, polio can easily be imported and spread within another polio free country if all children have not been fully vaccinated.

Sources:
1. Department of Health, www.doh.gov.za 
2. WHO campaigns, http://www.afro.who.int/en/south-africa/press-materials/item/5416-polio-and-measles-immunisation-campaign.html