The Western Cape recorded an infant immunisation coverage rate of 67.4% for children under one year in 2024/25, short of the 90% level public‑health authorities say is needed for herd immunity. The provincial Department of Health and Wellness described the shortfall as a serious concern and warned the gap leaves many babies at risk of diseases that are preventable through routine vaccination.
Where the province stands
Coverage declined slightly from the 67.6% reported for 2023/24, according to the department. While the fall may appear marginal in percentage points, health officials say it reflects thousands of infants who have not completed the scheduled vaccines that protect against conditions such as tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, Hib‑related meningitis, rotavirus diarrhoea and measles.
| Season | Infant immunisation coverage (under‑1s) |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 67.6% |
| 2024/25 | 67.4% |
Why coverage has slid
Provincial officials told reporters that the downward pressure on vaccination uptake began during the Covid‑19 pandemic, when routine services were disrupted, and has persisted into the recovery period. Two further factors are being singled out: increasing vaccine hesitancy in some communities and the spread of misinformation that has discouraged caregivers from bringing infants to clinics.
"Ideally, our vaccine coverage should be 90% to achieve herd immunity. This is a significant gap that leaves thousands of infants vulnerable to preventable diseases," the department spokesperson Shimoney Regter said.
Department communications indicate that some parents missed appointments during lockdowns and that catch‑up efforts have not yet reached everyone. Health staff also report that social media and other channels have amplified doubts about vaccine safety, adding friction to recovery work.
How the department is responding
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness said it is expanding a mix of fixed and outreach services to lift coverage. Measures include:
- Strengthening routine clinic‑based immunisation appointments and follow‑up;
- Deploying mobile immunisation teams to rural areas and transport corridors;
- Door‑to‑door engagements in targeted communities to trace and vaccinate missed children;
- Public information campaigns to address misinformation and encourage timely vaccination.
Officials urged caregivers to check their child's Road‑to‑Health booklet and to attend the clinic as soon as possible if an appointment was missed. Vaccinations covered in the Expanded Programme on Immunisation are provided free of charge at public health facilities.
Local implications and practical advice
Public‑health experts say low coverage raises the risk of outbreaks, particularly of measles and whooping cough, which can be severe in infants. In urban townships and rural settings where access is patchy, even small reductions in coverage can open the door to localised epidemics.
Parents and caregivers can take several immediate steps: verify their child's vaccination record at the nearest clinic, bring any overdue child in for catch‑up doses, and ask health workers for clear information about vaccine benefits and side effects. Clinics can also advise on the schedule for later childhood immunisations up to 12 years of age.
What to watch next
The department said it will continue monitoring coverage and report progress as outreach and mobile services scale up. Health sector observers will be looking for improvements in the coming months, particularly ahead of winter when respiratory infections typically rise.
Lower uptake in the Western Cape mirrors national trends first exposed by disruptions during the pandemic. Recovery is possible, officials insist, but it will require sustained clinic access, community engagement and clear public messaging to rebuild confidence and restore protection levels for all children.
Riaan Bester, Western Cape correspondent (Cape Town)
