In celebration of World Immunisation Week a vaccination outreach campaign was held in George Kerridge on Monday 24 April.
This was hosted by the Early Learning Resource Unit (Elru), a leading early childhood development (ECD) NGO, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and Mfesane, a Christian development agency offering community-based health care.
Elru provides essential ECD training and support to the communities on the West Coast to provide a good start in life for every child. The organisation’s vaccination outreach campaign was a door-to-door drive aimed at educating parents about the importance of immunisation and immunising those children who have not had access to basic health care.
Parents and caregivers learnt the importance of vaccines for children and why it is essential their children are immunised and protected against many life threatening illnesses. The day began by sharing information, pamphlets and brochures to households. In addition, caregivers were invited to bring children for immunisations, de-worming and Vitamin-A drops, provided by the DoH and Mfesane at the George Kerridge hall. Also on site was the University of Cape Town’s Audiology Department, which performed hearing tests and screenings on the children. Many other stakeholders were also involved in the campaign.
Chrizelda Saul, Elru West Coast office manager, said the vaccination campaign is another programme aimed at building tomorrow, today by facilitating better outcomes for children in vulnerable communities.
“Our work highlights the need for interventions and basic support, with primary healthcare being a cornerstone of building healthier communities,” she said.
