National Polio Immunisation Campaign: 8 to 14 October 2006 | Western Cape Government

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National Polio Immunisation Campaign: 8 to 14 October 2006

5 October 2006

A free polio immunization campaign will sweep across the province from the 8th to 14th October 2006, when all children under five years of age will be immunized.

Minister Uys urge parents, guardians, caregivers and the general public to take all children under five years to their nearest clinic or Community Health Centre for polio immunization, irrespective of their immunization status.

"Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus which affects mainly young children, but any unimmunized person can also get polio," Uys said.

Minister Uys launched the Western Cape Department of Health's campaign in conjunction with the City of Cape Town today at the Tafelsig Community Centre. Approximately 150 children joined him in symbolically giving polio a "red card" to stop its spread.

"During the immunization campaign special efforts will be made to bring additional immunization posts to all clinics, Community Health Centres and community centres as close to communities as possible," Uys said. In addition, immunization teams comprised of health care workers will visit day care centers, crèches and pre-schools during the campaign.

"Polio can be prevented by routinely immunizing children against polio at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks and at 18 months free at all public facilities in the province," says Dr. Ivan Toms, Executive Director of City Health.

South Africa has been free of the poliovirus for over 15 years. Recently Namibia experienced an outbreak of polio earlier this year after being polio free for more than ten years. The national polio mass immunization campaign is conducted to give extra polio drops to as many children as possible. This would prevent the poliovirus from circulating among unprotected children. Children under 5 years of age are most vulnerable therefore they are targeted.

Media Enquiries: 

Issued by:
The Directorate Communications
Office of the Superintendent of Health, Western Cape
Department of Health
Faiza Steyn
Director: Communication
Tel: 021 483 3235
Herman van der Westhuizen
Media Liaison Officer to the Minister of Health
Tel: 021 483 2627