Gauteng rolls out H1N1 vaccination campaign

9 April 2010

In preparation for the winter season as well as the beginning of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in June 2010, public health facilities in Gauteng have started immunising health workers against H1N1 flu pandemic.

During the immunisation which started this week, front line health workers who are likely to come in contact with the virus such as nurses, Intensive Care unit workers, emergency services workers and doctors will be immunised against the H1N1 virus.

Airport staff, pregnant women and HIV positive children under the age of 15 and patients with chronic lung and heart diseases will also benefit from this campaign. In the first phase of this campaign which began yesterday until the end of April 2010, front line health workers and HIV positive children under the age of 15 are being immunised.

In the month of May, pregnant women, patients with chronic lung and heart diseases as well as airport staff will be immunised. At the end of the campaign, the province estimates that more than three million people will be immunised against the H1N1 virus.

The aim of this campaign is to decrease mortality and morbidity rates as well as to reduce transmission of the pandemic virus within communities.
Those who do not fall under the above categories should not panic. Not everyone is at risk of contracting this virus therefore vaccination is not necessary for all citizens.

The pandemic, H1N1 outbreak started in Mexico last year and rapidly spread to other countries including South Africa. Gauteng province had 13 deaths resulting from the pandemic influenza.

For more details on the H1N1 virus or the campaign, you can call the H1N1 pandemic hotline on 086 136 4232 or send an email to H1N1@health.gov.za or visit http://www.doh.gov.za.

Enquiries:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013

Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892

Issued by: Department of Health and Social Development, Gauteng Provincial Government
9 April 2010
Source: Department of Health and Social Development, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.health.gpg.gov.za/)