![MSF Vaccination center in Bentiu. [Photo by MSF]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/HepE_vacc_2.jpg?resize=895%2C409&ssl=1)
The campaign is targeting 608 268 individuals aged nine months to 65 years.
It will be conducted in Yambio, Nzara, Ibba, Ezzo, and Tambura Counties in Western Equatoria State where yellow fever cases were reported on 24 December 2023.
This launch came after the International Coordinating Group on Yellow Fever Provision released 610 000 doses of the Yellow Fever vaccine.
The campaign was bolstered by substantial financial support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which provided the necessary funding to facilitate the logistics and distribution of vaccines.
The campaign is being carried out by the South Sudanese Ministry of Health in cooperation with the WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and other partners.
Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, the WHO Representative for South Sudan underscored the need for sustained efforts to reach all at-risk populations.
“Our team’s commitment to conducting thorough epidemiological investigations and engaging with communities was instrumental in mitigating the outbreak’s impact,” Karamagi said in a statement extended to Sudans Post on Wednesday.
Dr Karamagi also stressed the importance of further integrating Yellow Fever vaccinations into the national framework.
“This campaign has laid a strong foundation, but to ensure comprehensive protection against future outbreaks, it is imperative to include the Yellow Fever vaccine in South Sudan’s National Immunization Schedule.”
Yellow fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes, poses a significant public health threat. Characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue, the disease can lead to severe complications, with approximately half of patients succumbing within seven to ten days.
