Gov’t targets 2.5 million children in campaign against polio outbreak – minister Achuei  

JUBA – South Sudan’s minister of health Elizabeth Achuei announced on Thursday that the government has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign against polio targeting more than 2.5 million children.

The second vaccination round, which is being spearheaded by the ministry of health and supported by Gavi, Vaccine Alliance, World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF, aims at giving additional protection to children under 9 months to fight off the disease.

Achuei said the second dose of routine IPV is intended to protect children from paralysis amid the risk of importation of the wild poliovirus and other polioviruses into the country.

South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, confirmed 58 cases of polio in October 2020 after it was recently declared free of the virus by the World Health Organization.

“South Sudan will provide a second opportunity for infants to receive the injectable inactivated polio vaccine in the ongoing immunization program, such that all infants get 2 doses of IPV to protect them against the polioviruses,” Minister Achuei said in a statement extended to Sudans Post on Thursday.

Yol described the campaign as “a giant step in the country’s immunization program.”

According to the minister, the introduction of IPV2 aims to reach over 592 000 infants nationwide this year.

“The vaccine will be given with other routine immunizations to strengthen children’s immune system against all 3 types of polioviruses, including wild poliovirus and vaccine-derived,” she said.

Dr. Fabian Ndenzako, WHO Representative in South Sudan disclosed that the vaccine will reduce the high level of paralysis among the children in the country.

“The introduction of the routine second dose of IPV will contribute to the reduction of paralysis due to the poliovirus”, Ndenzako said.

He reiterated the WHO’s commitment to supporting the Ministry of Health to protect children from life-threatening diseases such as disability from poliomyelitis.

“Today, we are witnessing a pivotal moment in South Sudan’s implementation of the Polio Endgame Strategic Plan 2019-2023, Andrea Suley, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan said.

Suley disclosed that the UNICEF will provide cold chain equipment, supplies, and motivate parents to vaccinate their children against polio.

“Strong global, regional and country partnerships are critical in the continued efforts for South Sudan to be polio-free for all children and future generations,” she said.

She said that the IPV injection is safe and free of cost to the caregivers as all costs will be borne by the government and partners.