“People Are Waking Up”: Western Cape Infant Immunisation Drops to 67.4%, Sparking Controversy Online
- Infant immunisation coverage in the Western Cape has dropped to 67.4%, far below the 90% target health officials say is needed
- Health officials warn thousands of babies remain vulnerable to measles, polio and whooping cough as vaccine hesitancy grows
- Many South Africans pushed back online, with some sharing personal experiences questioning the benefits of childhood vaccines
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Western Cape infant immunisation coverage has fallen to 67.4%, raising serious concerns among health officials about the safety of thousands of children across the province.
The figure covers children under one year during the 2024/25 period and reflects a slight decline from the 67.6% recorded in 2023/24. Health authorities say a minimum coverage of 90% is required to achieve herd immunity and shield communities from preventable illness.
According to a report by Newsroom SA, published on 11 August 2026, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness described the shortfall as deeply concerning. Department spokesperson Shimoney Regter said the gap “leaves thousands of infants vulnerable to preventable diseases.”
Why vaccination rates are falling
The department points to the Covid-19 pandemic as a key turning point, noting that disruptions to routine health services set back years of immunisation progress. Officials say vaccine hesitancy and the spread of misinformation online have since made recovery harder, with some parents actively choosing to delay or skip vaccinations altogether.
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Children who miss routine immunisations are reportedly left exposed to illnesses including tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, measles and rotavirus diarrhoea. Babies under two and malnourished children face the most serious risks, with potential complications ranging from pneumonia and brain infections to blindness.
What parents can do
Health officials are running outreach programmes, mobile clinics and door-to-door campaigns in an effort to reach children who have missed vaccinations. Parents are encouraged to check their child’s Road-to-Health Booklet for any gaps, and catch-up immunisations are available at public health facilities with no appointment needed and at no cost.
See the Newsroom SA Facebook post that sparked the debate:
South Africans react to the drop
Not everyone online shared the concern. The post drew sharp reactions from South Africans who questioned the value of childhood vaccinations, with many drawing on personal experience:
@Laurika George said:
“I vaxed two kids, and those too are in and out of the doctor's offices. The unvaxed one is the healthiest.”
@Tavia Tommy wrote:
“Funny, my mother didn’t believe in vaccines. I never got them. And yet I’ve been the healthiest person in my entire family.”
@Thandiwe Ngo Memela Ngwekazi added:
“We’re in an era of knowledge. People are waking up. Try other countries. We’re good this side. 🤣”
@Juliet Greig shared:
“Wonderful news. People are definitely asking questions and not blindly trusting the medical fraternity.”
More stories involving vaccines
- South Africans questioned a new tuberculosis vaccine programme despite government preparations for possible future rollout.
- South Africa has launched the continent’s first-ever human trial of a new HIV vaccine at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation in Cape Town.
- Russia has administered its first personalised mRNA cancer vaccine.
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Source: Briefly News
