Wednesday marks the start of World Immunisation Week, and this week is celebrated in the last week of April, and it aims to highlight the collective action needed to protect people from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The goal of World Immunisation Week is for more children,
adults – and their communities – to be protected from vaccine-preventable
diseases, allowing them to live happier, healthier lives.
COURTESY: W.H.O Africa2024's theme - Humanly Possible: Immunisation for All, and this year, World Immunisation Week will celebrate 50 years of the Essential Programme on Immunisation (EPI), and this ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines for every child
According to the City of Cape Town, it has seen a 16%
decline year-on-year in follow-up immunisations of children younger than 12
months.
Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services & Health, Patricia van der
Ross, says children are considered fully vaccinated by the age of one year,
provided all the vaccines scheduled from birth to 12 months have been
administered.
‘’The scheduled vaccinations will provide the child with
adequate protection against a number of infectious diseases. Should they come
into contact with the specific virus that they were immunised against, they
might have no symptoms or very mild symptoms and their risk of complications is
very low.’’
‘’Immunisation has enabled us to minimise the risk of
serious illness and fatalities. I want to encourage parents and caregivers to
ensure immunisation schedules are up to date. Don't hesitate as it could have
serious and even fatal consequences. Discuss any concerns you may have with our
trained nursing staff,' added Van der Ross.
Done By: Alungile Njemla
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