9 July 2004 Press Release MEDIA RELEASE POLIO MEASLES CAMPAIGN: CITY OF JOHANNESBURG During 2003 the City of Johannesburg experienced a Measles outbreak. Eighty-eight cases of confirmed measles were reported in the City of Johannesburg. Outbreaks of Measles are still occurring in 2004, and to date a further 74 confirmed cases of Measles have been reported in the City. Measles is a serious childhood disease, which causes high mortality amongst children. Many children have received one or two doses of measles vaccine during their first two years of life. These doses protect about 9 out of 10 children. Outbreaks may still occur amongst those that were not immunised or amongst those in whom the vaccine did not work. Additional doses of Measles vaccine boost the immunity against disease. The City of Johannesburg will be participating in the forthcoming National Polio Measles immunisation campaign planned for July to September 2004. The objective of the mass immunisation campaign is to give children booster doses that will provide them with additional protection against polio and measles. This is in line with the goal set by World Health Organisation (WHO) for global polio eradication and measles elimination by 2005. All children under 5 years of age should be brought for immunisation even if they are up to date with the routine immunisations. Members of the public should take note that the vaccines given during the mass campaigns do not replace the routine childhood immunisation schedule. There will be two rounds of mass immunisation campaign. The first round will be from 26 to 30 July 2004 and the second round will be from 30 August to 03 September 2004. All children under 5 years of age will receive oral polio vaccine during the first round and a repeat dose of polio vaccine during the second round. All children from 9 months to under 5 years will receive measles vaccine during the 1st round. In July and August 2004, nurses will be visiting all children in schools, crèches and day mothers during the immunisation campaign, to give an extra dose of measles vaccine to children under five years. Polio immunisation drops will also be given at the same time. The polio drops will be repeated a month later. Immunisation points will also be set-up in all the Clinics in the City of Johannesburg and various other points such as shopping centres, community halls, doctors rooms, hospitals etc. A number of volunteers, nursing students and the SANDF will assist with the campaign to ensure that no inconveniences such as long queues are experienced. In July and August 2004, nurses will be visiting all children in schools, crèches and day mothers during the immunisation campaign, to give an extra dose of measles vaccine to children under five years. Polio immunisation drops will also be given at the same time. The polio drops will be repeated a month later. Immunisation points will also be set-up in the clinics and various other points in the regions. Anyone who has had two or more doses of measles / polio can safely have another. No previous immunisation records will be checked during the campaign. For further information about the campaign persons are advised to call their local clinic or call centre in the City. Prepared by the Health Department : 2 July 2004