The Gauteng Department of Health is calling on parents and guardians to get children immunized following new cases of measles in the province.
The Gauteng Province however said there have been 15 confirmed measles cases since the declaration of a national measles outbreak in October 2022.
According to the department, the latest measles case was reported on 10 January in Tembisa, 8 cases from Ekurhuleni district, 2 from Johannesburg district, 4 from Tshwane district and 1 case from West Rand District and there was no case in Sedibeng.
The department spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, said the province has launched a vaccination drive on weekdays targeting children from 6 months to 15 years old.
The Department said more than 43 000 children have been vaccinated against measles in the province.
The MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said the department will be working with the Department of Education to roll out the measles vaccination programme at early childhood development centers and schools.
“The provincial campaign is community and facility based with Ward-Based Outreach Teams, Health Promoters, Community Health Workers working with other community development workers and development partners to conduct advocacy work and to promote immunization especially in vulnerable communities,” said the department in a statement.
“Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by measles virus. It affects children under the age of 1 and can also occur in older children as well as adults who have not been vaccinated or who have not previously had the disease.Patients with measles present with fever, cough, runny nose, sneezing, red watery eyes and sore throat and with a rash,” it continues.
The Department has urged parents and guardians to sign consent forms in order for the children to get the jab.
The Department of Health said the campaign will run until the third week of February 2023.
