Currently across South Africa, in the public and private sector, there is a shortage of oral polio vaccine, measles vaccine and hepatitis B-vaccine.
Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, says: “Recent media reports that allude to neglect on the part of Western Cape Government Health on stock management is mischievous and targeted to taint our good management reputation. The shortage is universal, and impacts directly on all our health care facilities that provide immunisation services.
"I have raised the matter of stock shortages with the National Minister of Health on several occasions, but to no avail. It is serious and I will put it on the agenda of the National Health Council for urgent attention."
The reason for the current short supply is that the immunisations failed the South African quality assurance tests.
The three vaccines that are out of stock are Hepatitis B, measles and the oral polio vaccine. It has been out of stock for three weeks.
We have been informed that the replacement stock is released from quarantine today and will be delivered as from Monday, 16 September.
Children who missed their scheduled immunisations due to this delay will be able to "catch-up" at their follow-up visits. Parents or carers are encouraged to keep in contact with their local clinics in this regard.
The Western Cape Government would like to thank parents for their patience during this time as we are trying to address the short supply of vaccines. We would like to encourage parents to keep in contact with local healthcare facilities to ensure that their child is administered the vaccine when stock levels return to normal.
Information on diseases that require immunisation:
Children in the age group 0 – 12 years receive the following vaccinations:
Hélène Rossouw
Spokesperson for Theuns Botha, Western Cape Minister of Health
Tel: 021 483 4426
E-mail: Helene.Rossouw@westerncape.gov.za