Between 6 February and 31 March the Western Cape Department of Health will provide one measles booster immunisation for every child aged 6 months to 15 years.
Measles is a highly contagious, serious disease caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family. It is normally passed through direct contact and through the air. The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body.
Measles also weakens the immune system and makes a child more vulnerable to other infectious diseases, such as pneumonia and diarrhoea. While no specific antiviral treatment exists for the measles virus, vaccination remains a child’s best defence.
They may still get measles when immunised, but it will be less dangerous.
