Gauteng's urgent campaign to vaccinate over 4 million children against measles and rubella
Image: File
The Gauteng Department of Health is ramping up efforts to combat the persistent measles outbreak in the province with the launch of a large-scale Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign targeting over four million children.
The campaign will officially launch on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Steve Biko Primary School in Orange Farm. It aims to immunise over four million children, who are aged between six months and 15 years, across schools, crèches, and communities in all five health districts.
Gauteng's MEC for Health and Wellness, Ms. Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, will lead the launch of the campaign.
'The campaign comes as Gauteng continues to respond to a persistent measles outbreak that has affected all districts since 2022, with over 370 confirmed cases recorded since January 2025,' said the department.
The MR vaccine was introduced into the public immunisation schedule in late 2024 and now forms part of the province's intensified efforts to curb the outbreak.
The event will include onsite vaccinations and health education sessions, supported by health officials, community leaders, and partners.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Parents and guardians are urged to sign and return consent forms distributed via schools and crèches.
'Vaccination is safe, free, and proven to prevent severe complications and disabilities associated with measles and rubella,' the department said.
In a further call to action, the department is appealing to both retired and active healthcare professionals as well as community members to volunteer.
'Volunteers will assist with vaccinations, mobilisation, data capturing, and administrative support in their local communities.'
Universities, nursing colleges, and private hospital groups are also encouraged to support the effort by deploying student and practising nurses.
The campaign is part of the province's broader strategy to strengthen child health and prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.
IOL News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
Gauteng health MEC warns against online vaccine misinformation
Gauteng health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has sounded the alarm on vaccine misinformation, urging parents not to rely on social media for medical advice as the province launches a mass campaign to stop the spread of measles and rubella. Nkomo-Ralehoko was speaking at Steve Biko Primary School in Orange Farm during the launch of the province's Measles-Rubella Mass Vaccination Campaign which aims to immunise more than 4-million children aged between six months and under 15 years by September 12. 'To all parents, I want to assure you that this vaccine is free, effective and safe. Do not listen to fake news or misinformation spreading on social media. The lies you read online can cost a life. If you have doubts, do not go to TikTok or Facebook talk to our health professionals at your nearest clinic or district co-ordinators. They will give you facts, not fear,' said Nkomo-Ralehoko. The six-week campaign which is themed 'Lifelong Protection against Measles and Rubella Disease,' comes as Gauteng battles a measles outbreak with more than 370 confirmed cases so far this year with the hardest-hit areas being Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. 'These are not mere statistics. These are real children who were at risk of facing serious complications if we failed to act now,' she said. She explained that the MR (Measles-Rubella) vaccine is part of the country's regular child immunisation schedule and is typically given at six and 12 months. The campaign is offering a booster dose to strengthen protection and reach children who may have missed their shots. Vaccinations will be administered in schools, crèches, clinics, taxi ranks, malls and even door-to-door in some communities. Hospitals have also set up additional vaccination points and parents have been issued consent forms through schools. 'Our nurses and health teams are ready. I urge parents, caregivers and guardians to please sign and return the consent forms so we can protect our children,' said Nkomo-Ralehoko. She also spoke about the corner-to-corner campaign, which helps health workers review children's road to health booklets and administer catch-up doses. 'Every missed vaccine is an opportunity for measles to spread. Let us not give the disease a chance,' she said. The MEC appealed to the public and institutions to support the campaign calling on the Gauteng education department, NGOs, faith leaders, private hospitals and universities to join the effort.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Measles-Rubella Mass Vaccination Campaign for Gauteng
The province-wide Measles-Rubella Mass Vaccination Campaign targets all children aged 6 months to 15 years, regardless of their current vaccination status. The Gauteng Department of Health will be conducting a province-wide Measles-Rubella Mass Vaccination Campaign from 4 August to 12 September 2025. The campaign targets all children aged 6 months to 15 years, regardless of their current vaccination status. Whether the road to health booklet or card is available or not, the vaccine will be given. Parents and caregivers are strongly encouraged to take their children to their nearest healthcare facility for vaccination or to provide written consent for vaccination at schools and early childhood development centres (crèches). Why is this campaign important? South Africa introduced the Rubella Vaccine into the national immunisation schedule in 2024, in combination with the Measles vaccine. Many children have not yet received the combined Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine and remain vulnerable to Rubella infection. Measles and Rubella are highly contagious viruses that spread through droplets from coughing, sneezing, or close contact with an infected person. The incubation period is typically 10 to 14 days before symptoms appear. Common symptoms include: Fever Rash Cough Runny nose Red eyes Fatigue If not treated, these diseases can lead to serious complications such as: Blindness Ear infections Encephalitis (brain infection) and death The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Health, Councillor Mashabela, said that protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases is a shared responsibility. By vaccinating your child, you not only safeguard their health but also help prevent outbreaks in our communities. For more information, please visit your local clinic or contact your nearest health facility. Cllr Tshegofatso Mashabela MMC for Health
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Gauteng's urgent campaign to vaccinate over 4 million children against measles and rubella
IOL Gauteng Department of Health launches the Measles-Rubella Mass Vaccination Campaign at Steve Biko Primary School in Orange Farm, aiming to immunise over four million children across the province. Image: File The Gauteng Department of Health is ramping up efforts to combat the persistent measles outbreak in the province with the launch of a large-scale Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign targeting over four million children. The campaign will officially launch on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Steve Biko Primary School in Orange Farm. It aims to immunise over four million children, who are aged between six months and 15 years, across schools, crèches, and communities in all five health districts. Gauteng's MEC for Health and Wellness, Ms. Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, will lead the launch of the campaign. 'The campaign comes as Gauteng continues to respond to a persistent measles outbreak that has affected all districts since 2022, with over 370 confirmed cases recorded since January 2025,' said the department. The MR vaccine was introduced into the public immunisation schedule in late 2024 and now forms part of the province's intensified efforts to curb the outbreak. The event will include onsite vaccinations and health education sessions, supported by health officials, community leaders, and partners. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Parents and guardians are urged to sign and return consent forms distributed via schools and crèches. 'Vaccination is safe, free, and proven to prevent severe complications and disabilities associated with measles and rubella,' the department said. In a further call to action, the department is appealing to both retired and active healthcare professionals as well as community members to volunteer. 'Volunteers will assist with vaccinations, mobilisation, data capturing, and administrative support in their local communities.' Universities, nursing colleges, and private hospital groups are also encouraged to support the effort by deploying student and practising nurses. The campaign is part of the province's broader strategy to strengthen child health and prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. IOL News
