Immunisation Awareness Week: 6-12 August 2006

Every year, a week is allocated on the health promotion calendar to raise awareness around immunization.

With immunization alone millions of lives have been saved in the world during the 20th and 21st century. Before immunization was introduced millions of children became infected with vaccine preventable diseases and many of these developed life-threatening complications and even died.

All children in this country have a right to basic health care and one of the important components of this is immunization.

All vaccines are manufactured according to strict criteria and in this country, must first be evaluated by the Medical Control Council for safety and efficacy before use.

Adverse effects following immunization are very rare and far less than complications of the diseases.

• Protects children against infectious diseases
• Curbs the spread of disease in the community
• Decreases morbidity and mortality in children
• Education is not interrupted by absenteeism

• Polio
• Measles
• Hepatitis B
• Whooping cough
• Tetanus
• Diptheria
• Some forms of tuberculosis
• Meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenza

Presently there is an outbreak of polio in Namibia. As Namibia is a neighboring country we have to be extra vigilant for polio.

Is your child fully immunized? If not, or in doubt, please take your child to the nearest health facility.

The following immunisaations are given free of charge at public health facilities: