The Gauteng Department of Health has raised concern over a decline in childhood immunisation coverage, revealed during African Vaccination Week. In the 2025/26 financial year, only 75.3% of children under one year were vaccinated, compared to 83% in the previous year. The department warns that this drop increases the risk of outbreaks of preventable diseases, which can result in severe illness, long-term complications, or death.
The decline has been linked to caregivers not taking children for routine vaccinations and failing to consent to school-based programmes. To address this, the department is strengthening awareness campaigns and outreach services, especially in underserved communities. Parents are urged to ensure children receive all scheduled vaccines on time and to visit health facilities for catch-up immunisations where doses were missed.
Comments