Western Cape launches national immunisation catch-up drive
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is calling on parents and caregivers to ensure their children stay up to date with immunisations as it launches a month-long National Immunisation Catch-up Drive. Running from 1 to 30 November, the initiative aims to close the immunity gap created by missed vaccines and safeguard children against measles, polio, tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus.
Addressing a worrying decline in immunisation coverage
Recent reporting shows infant immunisation coverage dipping below the Western Cape’s 95% target. The department says this shortfall leaves many children vulnerable to preventable diseases and threatens herd immunity in communities. In response to a measles outbreak in Khayelitsha, health teams are conducting mass immunisation at schools, preschools, and healthcare facilities to curb transmission and protect the wider community. Contact tracing has intensified in the Cape Metropole due to a rise in diphtheria cases.
What to expect during the catch-up drive
Across the Western Cape, all public health facilities will offer free catch-up immunisations for children who may have missed routine doses. Importantly, no appointment is required. Local outreaches will also visit communities — parents can check their nearest schedule with their local clinic. Private providers may offer vaccinations at a cost.
Services included
- Checking your child’s Road-to-Health Booklet (or offering assistance if the booklet is missing)
- Routine and catch-up immunisations
- Vitamin A supplementation
- Deworming
- Nutrition checks
- Health screening and education
Where and how to vaccinate
Health teams will visit schools and preschools to provide immunisations and health checks. Consent from a parent or caregiver is required, so schools are distributing consent forms for return. The drive aligns with the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), which safeguards children from birth through adolescence against key diseases while providing boosters as they grow older. The HPV vaccine is offered to girls aged nine and up with parent consent, helping to prevent cervical cancer later in life.
Why immunisation matters
Immunisation protects individuals and communities by preventing disease outbreaks. The EPI schedule reduces illness-related absences, hospitalisations, and the risk of death from preventable diseases. Dr Heather Finlayson, a Senior Specialist in Infectious Disease at Tygerberg Hospital, highlights the global impact of vaccination: “Vaccination prevents millions of deaths each year and is essential for building healthy children and communities.”
Expert and parent perspectives
Experts emphasize that even small drops in vaccination coverage can undo years of progress. Dr Finlayson urges all parents to keep their children fully immunised because vaccines are safe and provided free at public facilities. New mom and Public Health Medicine Specialist Dr Masudah Paleker shares a personal note: vaccines protect children from preventable diseases and strengthen the health of families and communities. Somerset West parent Samantha Lee-Jacobs notes the long-term benefits of immunisation and the role of vaccines in enabling a proactive approach to health. Natalie Watlington, from Fairways, praises school-based HPV vaccination for its convenience and effectiveness. Leensie Lötter, a mother from Paarl, recalls polio’s lasting impact and stresses the importance of boosters to maintain protection.
What parents should do next
To participate, visit the nearest clinic to check your child’s Road-to-Health Booklet (or receive help if it’s unavailable). Bring children who may have missed doses for catch-up immunisations, and ensure all vaccines are up to date. No appointment is needed during the catch-up drive. Vaccination protects individuals and communities alike, and by keeping children fully immunised, families help prevent outbreaks and keep everyone safer.
Call to action for communities
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness urges parents, caregivers, and community leaders to advocate for vaccination. Together, we can protect children and build a healthy, safe, and resilient society across the province.
