South Africa is seeing a sharp rise in measles infections, even as rubella cases fall. New surveillance data from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) show measles cases are increasing across provinces, with signs of ongoing community transmission and a potential immunity gap among older age groups. The NICD said data from 29 December 2025 to 12 April 2026…
Tag: Vaccination
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Vaccine Misinformation: Combating False Narratives
The Gauteng Department of Health has launched a massive vaccination campaign to curb the spread of measles and rubella. Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko issued a stern warning to parents against dangerous vaccine misinformation circulating on social media. Addressing vaccine misinformation is crucial to ensure the success of the campaign. Speaking at the campaign launch, Nkomo-Ralehoko appealed directly to parents and…
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Emergency Vaccinations Reduce Global Disease Deaths
New research has revealed the immense power of emergency vaccination programmes. These programmes have reduced deaths from five major infectious diseases by an estimated 60% over the past two decades. The study, the first of its kind, also highlights the colossal economic benefits of rapid vaccine deployment. Researchers estimate these benefits at tens of billions of dollars. Researchers analysed the…
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Fears of Disease Outbreaks as Global Child Vaccination Rates Stall
Global childhood immunisation is faltering due to inequality, COVID-19, and misinformation, a new study in The Lancet warns. Millions of children are now at risk from preventable diseases like measles, threatening decades of public health progress. Researchers have issued a stark new warning. Global efforts to vaccinate children against deadly diseases are faltering, putting millions of young lives at risk.…
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Measles Vaccination in Gauteng is Urgently Needed
Gauteng’s health authorities are sounding the alarm as the province grapples with a significant increase in measles cases. Since the beginning of 2025, health officials have reported a worrying 181 laboratory-confirmed cases. The epicentres of the outbreak are located in Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni. It is crucial to address the importance of measles vaccination to manage the situation in Gauteng…