BENTIU — The Unity State Ministry of Health has launched a seven-day cholera vaccination campaign targeting more than 100,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Rubkona and Guit counties.
The campaign is being conducted in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), following thousands of cholera cases recorded in the state this year.
Peter Gatkuoth Kuol, Communication Officer for the Unity State Ministry of Health, told this publication on Thursday that the vaccination exercise is currently focused on displaced populations in the two counties, where health authorities are working to contain the spread of the disease.
“So the campaign kicks off today; all the vaccinators are in the field, and they are working, and in the afternoon time will go as state supervisors,” Gatkuoth said.
Gatkuoth said vaccination teams have been deployed to various sites to administer the vaccines.
He said the campaign could reach more than the initially targeted 100,000 people because additional vaccines are available.
“We will go and supervise them from their sites, 100 thousand people that are targeting in the plan, but of the vaccine can extend more than this number,” he said.
“We have enough vaccines available now currently, so we are going even to go beyond the target population.”
He urged residents in the targeted areas to take the vaccine, describing it as safe, government-approved, and free of charge.
He said state health supervisors will monitor the vaccination sites throughout the campaign to assess implementation and coverage.
“This vaccine, according to the state ministry of health, is approved by your government, is very safe, and is free, so don’t fear to take the vaccine; it does not cause any severe side effects.”
The campaign comes amid continued concern over cholera transmission in Unity State, with health authorities reporting thousands of cases since the beginning of the year.
The vaccination drive is expected to strengthen ongoing efforts to prevent further transmission, particularly among vulnerable displaced communities in Rubkona and Guit.
