The Free State Department of Health is to intensify vaccination efforts to curb the spread of measles following a spike in cases reported in Bethlehem in the Thabo Mofutsanyana district.
All children between the ages of six months and 15 years are to be vaccinated, with immediate effect.
Elke de Witt, acting spokesperson for the department, said immediate vaccination efforts in the province precedes the National Measles Campaign from 6 to 20 February.
“The department has activated our school health teams, and vaccinators will visit schools and childcare centres in and around Bethlehem. Parents are requested to help the teams and provide consent for vaccination at the schools and centres visited,” said De Witt.
She said the Department of Education had been informed about the vaccination campaign and that educators were requested to be on alert for learners who are presenting with symptoms. This involves a fever of 38 °C or higher and a general rash, as well as any of the following: a cough, a runny nose and redness of the eyes.
