More and more children are skipping their childhood immunisations, with the Gauteng Department of Health warning that the declining rates are reducing protection against preventable diseases, reports The Star.
Officials said that missed or delayed vaccinations leave thousands of children increasingly vulnerable to outbreaks that could have been avoided through the routine shots.
The latest data from the department show a notable dip in coverage in the 2025/26 financial year. Just more than 191 000 children under 12 months old have been vaccinated so far, translating to 75.3% coverage, down from 83% in the previous financial year when more than 213 000 children received their vaccines.
Health authorities warn that this a growing public health risk, and have boosted efforts to reverse the trend, rolling out targeted awareness campaigns across communities while expanding outreach services.
Health workers are being deployed to Early Childhood Development centres and underserved areas to reach children who have not received any vaccines, as well as those who have fallen behind.
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