The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has launched a National Immunisation Catch-up Drive, set to run from November 1 to 30, 2025. The initiative aims to address the decline in infant immunisation coverage, which has fallen below the provincial 95% target, leaving many children vulnerable to diseases such as measles, polio, tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus.
According to the department, a measles outbreak in Khayelitsha has prompted a mass immunisation service at schools, preschools, and healthcare facilities to prevent the spread of the disease. Additionally, healthcare teams are conducting contact tracing in response to a rise in diphtheria cases in the Cape Metropole. The department emphasizes that these diseases are preventable through improved immunisation coverage, which provides herd immunity and protects vulnerable individuals.
During the catch-up drive, all public health facilities in the Western Cape will offer free immunisation services for children who may have missed routine doses. No appointment is necessary, and local outreaches are planned in communities. Parents and caregivers can contact their local clinic for the schedule of these outreach visits. Immunisations are also available at private providers at a cost.
The Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) ensures that children receive life-saving vaccines at key stages of their early development, protecting against diseases such as tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, and measles. As children grow older, they receive boosters to maintain protection against these diseases. Girls aged nine years and older are also offered the HPV vaccine with parent consent, which helps prevent cervical cancer later in life.
Senior Specialist in Infectious Disease at Tygerberg Hospital, Dr. Heather Finlayson, stresses that vaccines are safe, well-studied, and essential for building healthy children and communities. She notes that even a small drop in vaccination coverage can undo years of progress, and urges all parents and caregivers to ensure their children are fully immunised.
The department advises parents to visit their nearest clinic to check if their child’s Road-to-Health Booklet is up to date and to ensure all vaccinations are current. Services part of the immunisation catch-up drive include checking the child’s Road-to-Health Booklet, routine and catch-up immunisations, vitamin A supplementation, deworming, nutrition checks, and health screening and education.
By participating in the National Immunisation Catch-up Drive, parents and caregivers can help prevent outbreaks and keep their communities safer. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness calls on all parents, caregivers, and community leaders to advocate for immunisation, working together to protect children and build a healthy, safe, and resilient society.