South African health officials urge vaccinations amid declining coverage
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South Africa’s Department of Health, represented by spokesperson Foster Mohale, declared a public health emergency on August 26, 2026, due to a severe decline in childhood vaccination rates. The number of infants receiving no vaccinations tripled from 12.1% in 2017 to 36.3% by early 2026, while routine coverage for the 6-in-1 vaccine dropped from 87% in 2021 to 60.5% in 2025. This failure to meet immunization targets resulted in active outbreaks of measles and rubella across multiple provinces, with 3,462 confirmed measles cases and nearly 400 rubella cases recorded since January 2026. Health officials noted that these trends threaten to reverse long-term gains in reducing infant and under-five mortality.
Consequences
Without urgent intervention, South Africa faces a continued resurgence of preventable diseases, including potential complications from Congenital Rubella Syndrome in unborn children. The recent detection of poliovirus in Cape Town wastewater and sporadic cases of diphtheria and pertussis indicate further risks to public health stability as immunization gaps persist.
Sources
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