The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has vaccinated 97% of children under the age of 1 against measles-rubella during the 2025-’26 financial year, far surpassing the national target of 71%.

The figures underscore the provincial government’s commitment to protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases through sustained immunisation programmes and targeted outreach campaigns, the department said in a statement on Monday.

Mass vaccination campaigns

Over the past three years the department participated in two national vaccination drives. A measles-specific mass vaccination campaign held in February 2023 reached nearly 700 000 children, while a national immunisation catch-up campaign in November 2025, which included measles vaccinations, reached a further 1 320 children. Both campaigns were implemented in response to measles outbreaks at the time.

During the 2025-’26 financial year alone nearly 40 000 individuals had been vaccinated in areas including Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain, the department said.

Routine immunisation

Beyond targeted campaigns measles vaccination is consistently provided through the routine Expanded Programme on Immunisation. General immunisation awareness and uptake activities form part of ongoing health service practices across the province, encompassing routine facility-based services, outreach activities and school health engagements, said the department.

Challenges remain

The department acknowledged several barriers to vaccination uptake, including vaccine misinformation, safety concerns in some communities and limited access in remote or high-crime areas, they said. The province continues to address these through proactive outreach, community health-worker programmes and targeted awareness campaigns.

Memory Booysen, DA provincial spokesperson on Health and Wellness, said vaccination remained one of the most effective tools in protecting children against preventable diseases.

She said: “Achieving a 97% vaccination rate for children under 1-year-old demonstrates the strength of the Western Cape’s public-health-care systems and the dedication of health-care workers across the province.”

However, Booysen cautioned against complacency: “Vaccine misinformation continues to place children at risk. We encourage parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive all routine immunisations on time and to work with health-care professionals to protect communities from future outbreaks.”

The DA in the Western Cape said it would continue supporting health-care interventions aimed at improving child wellness outcomes and strengthening preventative healthcare across the province.

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