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15 Jun 2010

The Department of Health had a mass polio and Measles campaign the past two months. South Africa had more cases of measles in the years 2009 to 2010 than the years before that. In the Free State it is still a problem and a number of people have been admitted in the hospitals and seen at the clinics. If not controlled we may even see more cases of measles.

Measles is an infectious disease and it can be a serious. It can cause blindness, hearing problems, brain damage, pneumonia and even death. If a person received two doses of measles vaccine it helps to protect the body against the infection. There is still a very small possibility that a person can still get measles but in those cases they are not so sick.

South Africa was declared polio free by the World Health Organization. Our challenge is to stay polio free. Polio is a crippling disease. It is also infections. It mostly affects children under 15 years. As we are preparing for the soccer we must remember that in 2009 there were 19 countries in Africa where there were polio cases. These countries are coming to our soccer.

We are inviting all the children under five years that did not receive measles vaccine, polio and Vitamin A drops during the campaigns to go to their nearest clinic. We want to urge the parents as this is very important not to let their children be unprotected. They can get sick with measles or even polio. They can also infect other people, their family at home or the children at the crèche where they stay during the day.

Plan for the mobile stopping points in Bloemfontein

Measles, polio and Vitamin A will be given to children under five years that did not receive it during the April and May campaigns

Monday, 14 June: Kaylitsa, Ntate Maduna's place
Tuesday, 15 June: Phase 4 and 5, Mkhukhu Church
Thursday, 17 June: Phase 7,Ntate Sefuthi
Friday, 18 June: Phase 6, at Taxi office
Monday, 21 June: Phase 9 and 10, next to Regonne Primary School

Parents in other regions should take their children under five years to their nearest clinic if they have not received their measles and polio vaccine during the April and May campaigns.

Is the vaccine safe?

Yes, both measles and polio vaccine have been used in South Africa for more than 15 years. A few people may get a slight fever or rash seven to ten days after the measles injection is given. Serious side effects from the vaccines are very rare – a lot more rare than the serious side effects of the disease itself.

Parents who have any concerns regarding measles vaccine should consult their nearest clinic or family practitioner.

Enquiries:
Elke de Witt
Cell: 083 561 6517

Issued by: Department of Health, Free State Provincial Government
15 June 2010

Issued by: Free State Provincial Government
15 Jun 2010

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