logo
Immunisation protects and builds population immunity

Immunisation protects and builds population immunity

Eyewitness News26-04-2025
JOHANNESBURG - The common cold, flu, measles and polio were once life-threatening diseases, but vaccines have saved millions of lives.
Regular vaccinations have protected children and adults from life-altering diseases such as polio that could leave one paralysed.
Spokesperson for the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, Dwayne Evans, said that vaccines are some of the most powerful tools humanity has in fighting against infectious diseases.
"The department regularly conducts vaccine drives across the province, especially in communities where the vaccine uptake may be lower. These drives are aligned with national health priorities, including the recent campaign for measles and HPV."
He adds that immunisation protects the person who receives the vaccine and helps build population immunity.
"In addition, catch-up immunisation forms part of our EPI or Expanded Program on Immunisation. This allows health care workers to bring a child's vaccinations up to date, if any scheduled doses have been missed."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

PinkDrive's innovative campaign aims to screen 12,000 people and educate communities on cancer
PinkDrive's innovative campaign aims to screen 12,000 people and educate communities on cancer

Daily Maverick

time2 days ago

  • Daily Maverick

PinkDrive's innovative campaign aims to screen 12,000 people and educate communities on cancer

In an effort to tackle late-stage cancer detection, a mobile screening drive run by the NGO PinkDrive, mining group Rio Tinto and the Department of Health is bringing key services to underresourced communities across four provinces. A mobile cancer screening drive is bringing much-needed services to underresourced communities in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga. Spearheaded by the health sector NGO PinkDrive, the campaign aims to screen more than 12,000 individuals by the end of August and provide health education to many more. The initiative, supported by mining group Rio Tinto and the National Department of Health, is driven by the need to address late-stage cancer detection. 'There aren't such [screening] services available in many of the areas… and access to where there's services is… just about nonexistent for the communities… That's why [PinkDrive] took the mobile approach some 20 years ago now. Our whole thing is to take the health service to the people who cannot afford it, and make it easily accessible,' explained Noelene Kotschan, CEO and founder of PinkDrive. 'In the communities, these people that we are seeing are the poorest of the poor. They don't have the disposable income to pay for taxis to take them to the hospital for a service… This is all done on the spot.' As part of the campaign, PinkDrive is providing mammograms and pap smears for cervical cancer detection and HPV (Human papillomavirus) screening, as well as check-ups for prostate cancer, skin cancers, high blood pressure and glucose and cholesterol monitoring. There are 18 medical professionals on the mobile screening team, including a gynaecologist, dermatologist and radiologist. 'Because we have highly skilled medical doctors, as well as trained nurses, we are in a position to immediately refer patients to the closest hospital or the clinic where they come from, so that they can access treatment as fast as possible. Our [memorandum of understanding] with the National Department of Health is to do the screening, and then the uptake of the patients for whom we created a pathway to care is the state's responsibility,' said Kotschan. Community health education PinkDrive's outreach efforts extend to providing health education in the communities to which they travel, ensuring individuals are better equipped to monitor their own health. 'According to our licence, we can only do 30 mammograms a day, because we are… fully licensed via the Health Professions Council [of South Africa], so you can imagine the need versus the number that we can do. However, we're very focused on educating as well,' Kotschan told Daily Maverick. While the screening service prioritises mammograms for women over 40 years of age, the team's medical staff also show men and women of all ages how to perform clinical breast examinations on themselves. Kotschan said: 'We've found that stats worldwide are showing breast cancer is no longer an older woman's disease. The younger girls are also [at risk]. Yesterday, we picked up a 20-year-old and a 33-year-old who have definitely got breast cancer… On those women, ultrasounds are done, biopsies are done.' According to Statistics South Africa's report on cancer in South Africa (2008-19), released in 2023, cancer accounted for 9.7% of all deaths reported in the country in 2018, making it the fourth-leading cause of mortality. Working with communities Kotschan said the response to the cancer screening drive in communities had been 'amazing'. 'There's a lot of ground mobilisation that has been done… The districts and clinics where we go, their community health workers, I must commend them. They've done a phenomenal job,' she said. Residents who took part in PinkDrive's screening efforts at Motherwell Clinic in the Eastern Cape said they were thankful for the opportunity to access health checks. Speaking anonymously, one woman said: 'Today, at Motherwell Clinic, they had such great services from the PinkDrive… I had a pap smear, a lung screening, skin cancer screening, and I got the best out of everything. I would have never had the opportunity if the PinkDrive wasn't a part of it.' Mandisa Mabaso, head of government relations at Rio Tinto, said the company's partnership with PinkDrive was part of its broader social impact strategy, 'focused on balancing economic growth with environmental and social responsibility'. 'We understand that sustainable change requires collaboration, and together with experts and local authorities, we can address critical social needs for a healthier future,' Mabaso said. DM

Vaccine fear is hurting children
Vaccine fear is hurting children

The Citizen

time05-08-2025

  • The Citizen

Vaccine fear is hurting children

With measles cases surging and young lives at stake, anti-vaccine misinformation is reversing decades of medical progress across the globe. No doubt anti-vaxxers will say we're just paid shills for 'Big Pharma' – repeating what they've seen on social media – but the reality is that vaccine hesitancy is seeing a big comeback of diseases once well on their way to being eradicated. Thanks to the social media vector and the high-profile appointment of the world's chief anti-vaxxer, Robert F Kennedy Jnr, as head of health in the US, vaccine conspiracies are convincing many parents that jabs will harm their children. So, we have measles outbreaks from Texas to Liverpool and now Romania, as the herd immunity conferred by anti-measles jabs wanes and more children succumb to the highly-contagious virus. There have been some child deaths reported – and much more unnecessary suffering. ALSO READ: HPV anti-vaxxers are risking girls' lives Even one death of a child because of a backward, anti science belief, is one too many. The sad part is that the youngsters have no say in the decisions taken on their behalf by their parents. It's their lives that will be affected – as well as those of innocent children who may be too young to be jabbed and are vulnerable. Vaccines do not cause autism. But not having them does cause harm. Use your children or grandchildren to confirm that. NOW READ: Health Department warns number of mpox cases rising in SA

E-locker system revolutionises medication collection at Groote Schuur Hospital
E-locker system revolutionises medication collection at Groote Schuur Hospital

IOL News

time30-07-2025

  • IOL News

E-locker system revolutionises medication collection at Groote Schuur Hospital

The e-locker is to make medication collection more convenient Image: Supplied First introduced at public healthcare facilities, the e-locker medication dispensing system has now made its way to Groote Schuur Hospital. This innovative system is transforming how stable chronic patients access their medication, offering a convenient alternative that significantly reduces the long queues and hours of waiting typically experienced in pharmacy lines. Alongside initiatives like the Chronic Dispensing Unit (CDU), off-site collection points, chronic clubs, and wellness hubs, e-lockers provide patients with a more efficient and dignified way to collect their medication. Developed over several years through strategic planning and collaboration by pharmacy teams across the province, the e-locker system was designed to reduce waiting times, improve efficiency, and modernise medication dispensing. While early attempts to implement fully automated dispensing systems faced challenges integrating with existing workflows and information systems, e-lockers emerged as a more flexible, scalable, and patient-friendly solution. Piloted at 11 healthcare facilities, the e-lockers naturally extend the province's Chronic Dispensing Unit, which delivered over 4.5 million parcels to nearly 390,000 patients in 2022 alone. Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness spokesperson Samantha-Lee Jacobs explained that the department first introduced the e-locker system in 2021, piloted at eight health facilities with the sponsorship of eight e-locker units funded by Anova. 'The idea was to evolve the care model of chronic patients who are on the chronic dispensing unit (CDU) system and formed part of pressure relief measures during the Covid-19 pandemic.' While off-site collection points and other interventions were active, the department could not cater to those not on the CDU or those working and this would see patients still coming to the facilities causing congestion. These e-lockers allowed for seamless collection without traditional waiting periods. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'The initial uptake and recruitment of patients was slower than anticipated, however, these e-lockers have since proven a success in many communities.' Jacobs said the initiative was not initially envisioned for implementation at tertiary hospitals. 'This was meant to be a community-based solution.' She added the long-term plan includes expanding the roll-out of these e-locker systems to include frequented community locations such as shopping malls, through effective collaboration. At Groote Schuur Hospital the system operates by securely packaging patients' repeat prescriptions and loading them into electronically controlled lockers. Patients receive an SMS with a one-time PIN, enabling them to collect their medication within 48 hours—even outside regular pharmacy hours. Using a touchscreen console, patients enter the PIN to open their designated locker safely and discreetly. Department spokesperson Dwayne Evans explained if medication is not collected within the allotted time, pharmacy staff follow up by removing the parcel and managing it accordingly. 'This process frees pharmacy staff to focus on more complex clinical queries while easing congestion in pharmacy areas.' He said the benefits have been clear, especially during busy periods like the festive season. In December 2022 alone, the CDU and linked services prepared and distributed an additional 400,000 parcels, ensuring patients were 'Ready, Collect, Go!' and had timely access to their medication without the hassle of long queues. 'Currently, the Groote Schuur Hospital e-locker unit has 98 compartments serving outpatients, with plans to expand to inpatient use. As part of a broader pilot, e-lockers have been installed at various facilities, including 24-hour community health centres, with expansion under consideration based on need and feasibility. 'These lockers complement other patient-centred services such as off-site pick-up points, chronic clubs (which number over 6,500 province wide), and community wellness hubs, offering multiple accessible options for medication collection.' Evans said patient safety and privacy remain priorities. 'Each locker transaction is PIN-protected, with pharmacy staff using traceable PINs to log actions. Cellphone numbers are verified before dispatch to ensure parcels reach the intended recipients. 'Vulnerable patients, such as the elderly or those less comfortable with technology, receive hands-on assistance during pharmacy hours, including demonstrations to help build confidence for independent future use. Patients are also encouraged to keep their contact details up to date and attend six-monthly check-ups to maintain eligibility for the service.' The e-locker system is part of a wider Whole of Society Approach to healthcare, aiming to bring services closer to where people live, work, and connect. Wellness hubs in communities such as Bishop Lavis, Belhar, and Fisantekraal have already been welcomed by patients for providing faster and friendlier medication collection experiences. Weekend Argus

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store