By Johnathan Paoli
Gauteng health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has expressed confidence and determination as the province intensifies efforts to curb a persistent and concerning measles outbreak that has continued since 2022.
Speaking at the launch of the province’s mass measles and rubella (MR) vaccination campaign at Steve Biko Primary School in Orange Farm, Nkomo-Ralehoko emphasised the importance of proactive prevention through mass immunisation.
“Vaccines save lives. What we are doing here today is not only protecting the health of children but also ensuring the safety and resilience of our communities. Measles and rubella are entirely preventable, and we must act collectively to stop this outbreak,” she said.
The campaign aims to vaccinate all children aged between six months and 15 years with a booster dose of the combined MR vaccine, regardless of their prior immunisation status, following a spike in confirmed measles cases, with more than 370 reported across Gauteng since January.
The current outbreak has affected all five districts in Gauteng.
Health officials have attributed the persistence of the outbreak to gaps in immunisation coverage, with thousands of children either not fully vaccinated or having missed their scheduled doses entirely.
Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba explained that the second dose coverage of the measles vaccine remained below the World Health Organisation’s 95% target for herd immunity, particularly in Johannesburg and Tshwane, where coverage is still under 75%.
The MR vaccine, which offers combined protection against measles and rubella, was formally added to the national immunisation schedule in late 2024.
The 2025 campaign is the first large-scale provincial rollout of this combined dose, and it will be administered at schools, early childhood development centres, clinics and temporary outreach posts throughout August and September.
Health workers will visit primary and secondary schools across the province to ensure maximum coverage.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to sign and return the consent forms distributed via schools and day-care centres.
Vaccination is voluntary but strongly encouraged, with authorities warning that the complications of measles can be life-threatening.
The department is calling on the wider healthcare sector and civil society to support the campaign.
Modiba noted that the campaign’s success depended not only on government capacity but also on community mobilisation.
At the launch event, parents voiced both support and concern, with some seeking clarity about vaccine safety and side effects.
Nkomo-Ralehoko reassured families, explaining that the vaccine was approved by the department, recommended by the World Health Organisation and has been used globally with a strong safety profile.
With thousands of health workers and volunteers set to visit schools in the coming weeks, the department hopes to significantly improve MR coverage rates and bring the outbreak under control.
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