News South African news
The Gauteng department of health has urged high-risk patients to visit their nearest public health facility to get vaccinated against the H1N1 influenza.
Pregnant women, patients with chronic lung and heart diseases, diabetic, school going learners under the age of 20 as well as senior citizens over 65 years are urged to get immunised against the H1N1 virus by 31 July 2010.
In April this year, public health facilities started immunising those deemed to be at risk. The aim of the campaign was to decrease mortality and morbidity rates as well as reduce transmission of the virus within communities.
Department spokesperson Mandla Sidu said the aim of this drive was to decrease mortality and morbidity rates as well as to reduce transmission of the virus within communities.
"More than 120 000 doses have been administered since the vaccination campaign started in April 2010 and no cases of the pandemic have been reported," Sidu said on Wednesday.
He added that the campaign has also benefitted airport staff, nurses, intensive care unit workers, emergency services workers, doctors and HIV positive children under the age of 15.
The H1N1 outbreak started last year in Mexico and rapidly spread to other countries including South Africa. 13 people died in Gauteng. The vaccine is available at all public health facilities as well as Clicks pharmacies in the province. - BuaNews
