The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) says all children must be immunised against measles.

There has been an outbreak of the virus over the past few weeks with the majority of cases occurring in Pretoria.

However, the virus has now spread to other areas in the province.

The health department has launched a massive immunisation campaign aimed at toddlers and school children.

"I think it is critical that parents allow their children to be part of this vaccination campaign. Measles is a serious illness that can result in pneumonias and even death," said the institute's Lucille Bloomberg