Garden Route on measles booster vaccination campaign

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Garden Route District has to date administered almost 23 000 doses of measles booster shots to children under the age of 15 as part of a vaccination campaign.

The target is to reach 95% of the intended target group, according to a media statement released on Tuesday 21 February by the Western Cape Health Department.

The department says health staff in the province have been hard at work to reach as many children as possible for their measles booster.

As part of nationwide efforts to contain outbreaks of measles such as experienced in several other provinces, the department is currently in its third week of the measles booster campaign for children under the age of 15.

Parents of children under-15 who are not in crèches, day-care centres or public schools, are urged to take their child to their closest clinic. For children in crèches, day-care centres or public schools, the department will be visiting them through the integrated school vaccination programme to offer convenient and safe vaccinations.

Parents will need to sign an informed consent form, sent by the education facility, giving permission for their child to receive the measles vaccination.

Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, measles remains one of the leading causes of death among young children, according to the department. It is particularly dangerous for children, who may develop severe complications (such as pneumonia or brain swelling).

Symptoms usually include fever, cough, red eyes, and a rash. Measles is extremely contagious and is one of the most easily spread viruses that infects humans.

Health teams in Hessequa are taking the booster shots to communities to reach as many children as possible.