Remember to get your children vaccinated
The City of Ekurhuleni encourages that children must be vaccinated at their nearest clinics.
THE CITY of Ekurhuleni encourages that children must be vaccinated according to the immunisation schedule.
This comes after health practitioners observed a trend in parents missing their children’s immunisation appointments, while some lose the immunisation cards ‘road to health cards’.
Health practitioners are also concerned that parents of school-going children tend to forget that their children need to be immunised. This is necessary when children are six and 12-years-old for the compulsory TD (Tetanus and Diphtheria) vaccination.
Sister Tembi Mahlangu, manager nursing services at Brackenhurst Clinic in Alberton encouraged parents to have their children immunised.
“It is important to get your little ones protected from vaccine-preventable diseases, and the first step towards ensuring that, is through vaccination.
“It doesn’t matter whether you lost the road to health card or missed the scheduled date, ultimately a child must be immunised,” she said.
Mahlangu also emphasised that children need all the required vaccinations at the right time during their developmental stages.
She said skipping a stage poses a threat to a child’s development, making them vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.
Health benefits
Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune system, which helps to prevent and protect children from numerous serious illnesses.
These may include polio, hepatitis, measles, meningitis, diphtheria, pneumonias and other illnesses that affect children as they grow.
The Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination (HPV) received by Grade Eight school children helps to prevent cervical cancer in girls.
It also reduces the risk of contracting viral infections that affect both boys and girls in lower body areas such as genital wards, and reduces risk of anal cancer. The vaccine is given by the school health nurses.
Parents and guardians may visit Ekurhuleni health facilities between Monday and Friday, from 8am until 4pm.
The City also offers extended operating hours in selected health facilities to accommodate parents who cannot make it during weekdays.
According to the City of Ekurhuleni, no child should be turned away from any health facility without being assisted.
Should parents or guardians experience any challenges related to immunisation at any of the facilities, they should contact Sister Motshidisi Moleleki, manager of expanded programme on immunisation and outbreak response on 011 999 2126.
Facilities rendering these services are as follows:
Ekurhuleni Alberton North Clinic
Brackenhurst Municipal Clinic
Katlehong North Clinic
Palm Ridge Municipal Clinic
Eden Park Clinic
