eThekwini Municipality says 25,312 children were fully immunised in 2025/26, taking coverage to 92.1% - above the reported 90% national target, but below the previous figures cited by the City.
It credited its public health interventions and community outreach programmes for contributing to the achievement.
Acting Director for Primary Health Care Neli Duma said: “Immunisation remains one of the most effective ways to protect children against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
These include tuberculosis, polio, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, pneumococcal disease and rotavirus, which can cause severe illness, disability or death.”
The City said childhood vaccinations were available free of charge at public primary healthcare facilities, including municipal and provincial clinics, through the national Expanded Programme on Immunisation.
The city has also urged parents and caregivers to ensure children receive their vaccinations according to the recommended schedule, which is designed to protect them at different stages of development.
“Parents whose children have missed scheduled doses are encouraged to visit their nearest clinic. Healthcare workers can assess the child’s Road to Health booklet and provide any outstanding vaccinations,” the city said.
It said it was also working to address vaccine hesitancy through community engagement, sharing evidence-based information and correcting misinformation.
Healthcare practitioners play an important role in helping parents understand the benefits of vaccination.
Despite remaining above the national target, eThekwini’s childhood immunisation coverage has declined over recent financial years.
According to the municipality, coverage stood at 105% in 2022/23, decreased to 96.5% in 2023/24 and reached 92.1% in 2025/26.
The City attributed part of the decline to population movements, including mothers relocating with their children, which can affect the population figures used to calculate immunisation coverage.
It also reported no outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases within its area, which it attributed to continued immunisation efforts and community participation.