Gauteng immunisation on track
2004-09-12 22:12
Johannesburg - The Gauteng health department reached a
90.95% target for measles and 88.60% for polio in the first round of the national polio immunisation campaign, the department said on Sunday.
The drive was held between the July 26 and 30.
"This target exceeds the 80% for measles elimination and polio eradication are to set by the World Health Organisation," departmental spokesperson Popo Maja said in the statement.
"Gauteng is definitely moving towards the 2005 elimination goal," Maja added.
Maja said the public were alerted in a variety of ways to have small children immunised, including newspaper articles, radio slots, promotional material and word of mouth.
"Health teams immunised children in hospitals and clinics.
"More health teams went into the communities to reach out to those who have poor access to health services.
Nurses also immunised children in creches and children's homes in all districts," Maja added.
The second round of the campaign took place between August 30 and September 3 - where only polio was administered.
The percentage reached by Gauteng for the second round will be made available in due course, Maja said.
- SAPA