What is governments policy on immunisation?
The national department of health has implemented the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI(SA)) as one of the cornerstones of its health care policy. South Africa follows the World Health Organisation’s recommended immunisation schedule, where infants are routinely vaccinated against nine major childhood diseases including tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, measles, haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) and Hepatitis B. National immunisation awareness campaigns are held periodically, usually coinciding with Child Health Week (August 6-12). The state spends around R80-million a year on vaccinations for children.
