Amid the outbreak, 1.1 million doses of the cholera vaccine are sent to South Sudan

As the nation struggles with an expanding cholera outbreak that has claimed more than 100 deaths, 1.1 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed to South Sudan.

As the nation battles a cholera outbreak, 1.1 million doses of cholera vaccines have been distributed to South Sudan. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) supplied the vaccines, which were transported by air into Juba on Monday.

UNICEF’s Immunization Officer, Gabriel Buom Tap, clarified that the vaccine needs to be administered twice. Nonetheless, immunity can be established with just one treatment in as little as two weeks, providing protection for as long as six months. This protection lasts up to three years after the second treatment.

Since its initial announcement in October in a village on the border between South Sudan and Sudan, the cholera outbreak has expanded to six of the 10 states in the nation. Those affected by flooding and Sudanese refugees are among the most vulnerable groups.

According to the South Sudanese government, there are currently over 6,000 active cholera cases and over 100 fatalities. The health sector and other pertinent entities are being urged by authorities to step up their efforts to contain the spread.

The health minister of South Sudan, Yolanda Awel Deng, stressed the significance of raising public awareness and urged the media and civil society to help spread the word about vaccinations.