With her nine-month-old baby strapped to her back and medical records in hand, a woman from Maloma negotiated her way past the gate at Nhlangunjani Clinic, the final hurdle in a two-hour journey to her nearest vaccination clinic.
Thuli Magagula waited with dozens of other patients in the lobby at the health facility. A male nurse who preferred to be called Dlamini emerged with bad news. The health facility had run out of measles vaccine and it was not clear when they would receive another supply.
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“All those who came for nine months vaccine, I’m afraid, you will have to return home. We have run out of the vaccine.
It is not clear when we will get another supply. Please call us for an update,” said the nurse, Magagula was among the distressed mothers who were turned back yesterday. “They told us there was no vaccine. I don’t know how this will impact my baby’s health,” said the disappointed mother.
The devastating news come at a time when the ministry of health is preparing to kickstart a measles and rubella vaccination campaign, scheduled to get underway on Monday.
Communications Officer at the Ministry of Health Nsindiso Tsabedze announced this campaign.
Mothers residing in areas near Maloma and Sigwe were left confused because this was the nearest vaccination clinic and dozens of children were unvaccinated against one of the world’s most contagious diseases, whose complications may include blindness, pneumonia or death.
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