27 July 2004

TO ALL:    COUNCIL MEMBERS
                   NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
                   STAKEHOLDERS 

NATIONAL MASS MEASLES AND POLIO IMMUNISATION CAMPAIGN 2004

As part of the global fight for polio eradication and measles elimination, a countrywide Immunization Campaign will be conducted in South Africa during the weeks of 26 to 30 July 2004 (the first round of measles and polio immunisation), and 30 August to 3 September 2004 (the second round of Polio Immunisation). The primary objective of the mass immunisation campaigns is to eradicate polio and eliminate measles.

Historically measles and polio are known as two of the most dangerous diseases of childhood. Therefore the Department of Health has requested the assistance of all nurses and midwives in ensuring that parents and caregivers take all children aged between 0 and 5 years old to their nearest clinics for vaccination, even if their children are fully immunised.

The campaign does serve as additional doses, which will protect a large number of children over a short period of time, thus making it practically impossible for the viruses to find unimmunised children in which to replicate and cause disease.

The slogan for the 2004 polio and measles campaign is:

“Stop Polio! Stop Measles! Immunise!”

Go to the Department of Health web site for full information on the campaign.

(Signed: H Subedar)
Registrar and CEO
The S A Nursing Council