Rubkona: In a critical move to curb the ongoing cholera outbreak, South Sudan’s Ministry of Health has launched a week-long vaccination drive aimed at immunizing over 300,000 individuals in Rubkona County, Unity State, a hotspot for the epidemic.
Nationwide Efforts to Combat Cholera
The vaccination campaign, which spans four counties, is supported by key international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), along with several other partners. The initiative underscores the collaborative effort to combat the outbreak, with Rubkona County accounting for 50% of the confirmed cases.
Government Commitment
During the campaign’s launch, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, South Sudan’s Vice President for Service Cluster, reiterated the government’s commitment to fighting the cholera epidemic.
“The rollout of the cholera vaccine nationwide is part of broader government efforts to combat the cholera outbreak and save lives,” Akol said in a statement issued from Juba, the nation’s capital.
The government has identified 31 hotspot locations, with targeted interventions to protect vulnerable populations from the deadly diarrheal disease.
Rising Cholera Cases and Fatalities
Since South Sudan declared a cholera epidemic in October 2024, over 17,581 cases have been reported across the country, with a case fatality rate of 1.5% as of January 7, 2025.
Urgent Call for Action
Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng called for increased support and action from health sector stakeholders.
“The vaccine we are introducing is lifesaving. I urge the community to get vaccinated and follow precautionary measures to minimize the risk of contracting cholera,” she said.
UN agencies have emphasized the importance of scaling up preventive measures to contain the outbreak.
Securing Vaccine Supplies
With assistance from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, South Sudan has secured over 1.3 million doses of cholera vaccines to combat the epidemic in hotspot areas.
This campaign is expected to play a crucial role in preventing the further spread of the disease and safeguarding lives in one of the most affected regions of the country.
