WES-KAAP. – Dié provinsie het vir die jaar 2025/2026 bo verwagting gepresteer toe bevind is dat 97% teenoor die verwagte 71% van kinders onder die ouderdom van een jaar teen masels ingeënt is – ‘n teken dat die provinsie se gesondheidstelsel werk.
Memory Booysen, DA-woordvoerder vir gesondheid en welstand, sê vandag die suksesse om masels te beveg is nie toevallig nie. Geteikende veldtogte in gemeenskappe soos Khayelitsha en Mitchells Plain, skoolgesondheidsbesoeke en gemeenskap-gesondheidswerkers het almal bygedra om kinders te bereik wat andersins dalk nie bereik sou word nie. Byna 700 000 kinders is reeds in 2023 teen masels tydens ‘n nasionale veldtog ingeënt, gevolg deur ‘n verdere inhaalpoging in 2025.
Tog bly uitdagings bestaan. Entstof-wanpersepsies versprei vinnig, veral in kwesbare gemeenskappe. In afgeleë of hoëmisdaad-areas bly toegang tot dienste ‘n probleem. Booysen sê geen kind moet sonder die nodige entstowwe grootword nie. Ouers word versoek om nie op waninligting staat te maak nie, maar om eerder hul plaaslike gesondheidswerkers te vertrou.
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Western Cape Department of Health campaigns ensure 97% of children under the age of 1 are vaccinated for Measles
by Memory Booysen, MPP – DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Health and Wellness
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape notes the vaccination of 97% of children under the age of one during the 2025/26 financial year, against a target of 71% for Measles-Rubella. This follows a written parliamentary reply (written reply here).The figures highlight the DA-led Western Cape Government’s continued commitment to protecting children against vaccine-preventable diseases through strong immunisation programmes and targeted outreach campaigns.The provincial Department of Health and Wellness further confirmed that over the past three years, the Department participated in a national measles-specific mass vaccination campaign conducted in February 2023, while a national immunisation catch-up campaign, which included measles vaccinations, took place in November 2025.During the 2023 campaign, nearly 700 000 children were vaccinated against measles, while 1 320 children received measles vaccinations during the 2025 campaign. These campaigns were implemented in response to measles outbreaks at the time.In addition, during the 2025/26 financial year, nearly 40 000 individuals have been vaccinated in areas such as Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain. Importantly, measles vaccination is also consistently provided as part of the routine Expanded Programme on Immunisation, while general immunisation awareness and uptake activities form part of ongoing health service practices, including routine facility-based services, outreach activities, and school health engagements where applicable, across the province.The Department also identified key challenges affecting vaccination uptake, including vaccine misinformation, safety concerns in some communities, and access barriers in remote or high-crime areas. Despite these challenges, the Western Cape continues to lead through proactive outreach, school health engagements, community health worker programmes, and targeted awareness campaigns.DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Health and Wellness, MPP, Memory Booysen, said: “Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools in protecting children against preventable diseases. Achieving a 97% vaccination rate for children under one year old demonstrates the strength of the Western Cape’s public healthcare systems and the dedication of healthcare workers across the province.”Booysen added: “While these figures are encouraging, we cannot become complacent. Vaccine misinformation continues to place children at risk. We encourage parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive all routine immunisations on time and to work with healthcare professionals to protect communities from future outbreaks.”The DA in the Western Cape will continue supporting healthcare interventions that improve child wellness outcomes and strengthen preventative healthcare across the province.
