Gauteng Health raises alarm over sharp drop in child vaccinations

The Gauteng Department of Health said it was concerned about the decline in childhood vaccination rates in the province.

It warned that the drop in the number of children receiving the vaccinations could increase the risk of preventable disease outbreaks. 

The province has seen infant immunisation coverage drop from 83% to just over 75%.

Children under a year old have seen one of the largest declines.

Department spokesperson Steve Mabona says parents are given a full immunisation schedule after a child is born, but many are failing to follow through with clinic visits and vaccinations.

“After birth, there is an immunisation schedule that is presented to parents.”

He says the decline is down to parents “not taking responsibility”.

Mabona notes the challenges around school-based vaccination programmes such as the HPV vaccine for girls aged nine and older.

The vaccine helps protect against cervical cancer, but schools cannot administer it without parental approval.

“We need a consent form from the parents.”

Children who miss scheduled vaccines are more vulnerable to illnesses that are usually preventable, said Mabona.

Parents are being urged to check clinic cards and make arrangements if any vaccinations were missed.

Mabona said the Department plans to roll out awareness programs.

“We have a schedule of certain programs that we are going to be targeting certain communities.”