Johannesburg, 23 April25: In 2009 South Africa experienced a significant measles outbreak. Dr Liza Street, paediatrician and co-founder of Ajuda, a digital storage vault for health information, was on the frontlines as sick children by the dozen started arriving at the hospital where she was working.
Some children (predominantly vaccinated) were treated for mild symptoms and sent home. The unvaccinated children, small babies, and those with compromised immune systems were less fortunate, developing complications like pneumonia, dehydration, middle ear infections, and inflammation of the brain. “The paediatric wards were overflowing with critically ill children,” recalls Dr Street. “The isolation ward was at capacity, and even the ICU was full.”
One little boy, just 18 months old, was admitted with severe pneumonia. “By the time he arrived, his oxygen levels were already dangerously low, and his young body was fighting for every breath,” says Dr Street. The team saved his life, but it was traumatic. “We had no choice but to intubate him and put him on a ventilator.” Dr Street remembers watching the boy’s parents, sitting helplessly by his bedside. “Seeing their eyes, filled with fear and desperation, was heartbreaking. They had done everything they could, but they had not been aware of the importance of vaccination.”
How vaccinations save lives
Stories like these are not as common as they once were, due to the widespread adoption of vaccines, which currently protect against more than 30 life threatening diseases, per the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Vaccines work by introducing a harmless version of a germ, either weakened or inactive, into your body, so your immune system can learn to recognise and fight it without making you sick,” says Dr Street. “Your immune system stores the memory of how to fight that germ. If you encounter the real, harmful version later, your body can respond quickly and prevent serious illness.”
Vaccinated people not only protect themselves, but also newborns and immunocompromised people who rely on those around them to be vaccinated so that they don’t get exposed to life-threatening germs.
South Africa’s Vaccination Schedule Explained
It’s important to stay up to date with current local guidelines.
Government programme: South Africa has a government-sponsored vaccination programme that provides free vaccines for children through state clinics and hospitals.
Optional add-ons: There are additional vaccines that you have to pay for – such as, the chicken pox vaccine, meningococcal vaccine, the flu vaccine and travel vaccinations. If you can, Dr Street encourages getting the added protection of the additional vaccinations.
Flu vaccine: The flu vaccination is recommended starting at six months of age. “It is especially important for children in creches, or those with chronic illnesses or respiratory conditions,” says Dr Street.
Tip: Ideally, get flu jabs before May – the start of flu season.
Decoding different names
When you look at the vaccine schedule, you’ll see different options for some vaccines. “It’s usually because they are made by different pharmaceutical companies. However, there isn’t one that’s ‘better’ than the other – they protect against the same diseases and work in similar ways,” says Dr Street. “Typically, you’ll get whichever vaccine is available at your pharmacy, baby clinic, or hospital.”
Why you need to keep a record of vaccinations
As important as it is for your child to be vaccinated, it’s just as crucial to keep a record. An Ajuda vault is the perfect place to keep track of vaccinations – unlike a physical vaccination card, you can’t misplace or forget to bring your digital vault.
“Some parents are really good at ensuring they’ve diarised each new vaccine date for their children, but many find it difficult to keep track over time,” says Taryn Uhlmann, co-founder of Ajuda. It gets especially tricky as children get older and vaccinations are spaced further apart – especially when there’s more than one child to keep track of. “Ajuda gives parents immediate access to their child’s vaccine records via their phone, at the touch of a button. You can quickly see the dates you took your child, the names of the vaccines they had and who administered them.”
Other reasons for record-keeping:
Travel: Some countries require proof of certain vaccinations. “When traveling through Africa for example, a yellow fever vaccination is a common requirement,” says Uhlmann. “The ability to have access to it quickly via a digital vault on your phone not only makes access so much easier while moving around, but if you travel often, you can find it each time you plan a new trip.”
Relocating: Different countries have different vaccination programmes. Ajuda makes it easy for your new healthcare provider to see what vaccinations your child has received, so they can determine if there’s anything still needed.
Documenting reactions: “You can take pictures of reactions like rashes and upload them, so you can have them on hand should a healthcare provider need them in the future, or just to be prepared when having the next round of vaccinations,” says Uhlmann.
How to prepare your child for vaccination day
“Vaccines usually don’t hurt as much as people expect,” says Dr Street. “Most children only feel a brief sting or pinch when the needle is inserted. Afterward, they may experience mild side effects like a sore arm, fever, or tiredness, but these typically go away within a few days.”
Dr Street offers five tips for a stress-free vaccination day:
1/ Bring your vaccination card (Road to Health card) so it can be updated.
2/ Schedule the appointment when your child is well-rested and not overly hungry or sick.
3/ Dress your child in comfortable clothing to allow easy access to the upper leg or arm.
4/ Be prepared to comfort your child immediately with a favourite toy or snack. For younger babies, breastfeeding right after the shot can help soothe them.
5/ If your child develops a fever after vaccination, you can give paracetamol to help lower it. (There’s no need to give paracetamol before the vaccination.)
If you notice anything concerning after the vaccination, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or nurse. “The chances of serious side effects are very low,” says Dr Street. “And the protection vaccines offer against harmful diseases far outweigh any potential risks.”
It’s been 16 years and Dr Street still thinks about the children she saw suffering during the 2009 measles outbreak. “The experience reinforced my belief in the critical importance of vaccination. It’s not just about preventing an illness, it’s about saving lives, reducing suffering, and protecting those who are most vulnerable.”