A VACCINE is administered. Clinics in Johannesburg have been out of stock of tetanus toxoid and diphtheria vaccines for a month. Eraldo Peres AP Photo A VACCINE is administered. Clinics in Johannesburg have been out of stock of tetanus toxoid and diphtheria vaccines for a month. Eraldo Peres AP Photo
Parents using public clinics in Johannesburg are concerned about the shortage of vaccines that their children should be given at the age of six.
The Sunday Independent visited Esselin Clinic and Hillbrow Community Clinic, which have been out of stock of tetanus toxoid and diphtheria vaccines for a month.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a nursing sister at one of the clinics said children could still be given these vaccines a month after their sixth birthday.
“It is not too late. They can still be immunised... but if they aren’t they will be sick. It’s too risky to miss those immunisations,” she said.
However, this was of little comfort to parents who have been turned back several times at the clinics.
“I don’t know what will happen to my daughter if she doesn’t get this medication on time. Now my child has a blocked nose and I don’t know if this is caused by her not being vaccinated,” lamented one parent.
Another parent said it was frustrating to keep on coming to a clinic for the same medication, which was not available. “When you miss having your child vaccinated the nurses shout at you, but when it’s their fault they don’t want us to shout at them. How can such big clinics not have medicine?”
Gauteng health department spokesperson Lesemang Matuka said there was a shortage of the vaccines nationally. However, DA shadow MEC for health Jack Bloom was not impressed by the explanation.
“I am very disturbed by the shortage of vaccines at certain clinics. The department should be honest with the public and not cover up anything. It is vital that young children are properly vaccinated, and every effort should be made to ensure the full availability of all medicines,” he said.
The Sunday Independent