BuaNews (Tshwane)
Gabi Khumalo
21 May 2008
Geneva — The Department of Health is to introduce two additional vaccines to reduce and prevent cases of pneumonia and diarrhoea which are seen as the two main causes of death among children.
"Building on the success of our immunisation programme with current coverage of more than 85 percent, South Africa is making arrangements to introduce in the public health sector two additional vaccines, Rotarix and Prevnar, which we expect will have a significant impact in reducing the cases of diarrhoea and pneumonia and related deaths," Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said.
The minister was speaking on behalf of South Africa at the 61st World Health Assembly currently underway in Geneva, Switzerland.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) lists pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, measles and HIV as the five main causes of death among children aged between one month and five years.
According to WHO, the five diseases contribute more than half of all child deaths.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang told the delegation that because of good immunisation programme, South Africa has been able to eliminate polio and prevent death from measles.
"The programme to prevent mother- to- child transmission of HIV is available in 90 percent of the public health facilities and a new Prevention of Mother-to-Child Treatment regimen, which includes dual antiretroviral therapy, [a combination of AZT and Nevirapine in the place of Nevirapine mono-therapy] is being implemented and expanded," said the minister.
Although a decision has been taken to explore the introduction of the two vaccines, she emphasised that access to new vaccines remained a major challenge due to their high costs.
"In line with the global commitment to reduce child mortality, South Africa urges the relevant agencies including WHO, UN Children's Fund and Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation to assist countries in increasing access to these vaccines by amongst others making them more affordable," the minister said.
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