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The Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization, has managed to provide more than 282,153 oral cholera vaccine doses to carry out vaccination campaigns in areas affected by the disease.
The vaccine (OCV) was provided by the International Coordinating Group (ICG), which coordinates and manages the global vaccine stockpile for countries during cholera outbreaks. These vaccines will be used in campaigns that will be launched in both Renk and Malakal in the Upper Nile State in the coming days, and additional doses will be shipped to support response efforts in other affected locations.
The vaccines were provided and delivered by the UNICEF supply division with support from the Gavi Vaccine Alliance. They will be strategically distributed in the Upper Nile State and other priority locations. These efforts are part of a comprehensive prevention and response strategy aimed at addressing cholera, a serious and preventable diarrheal disease, and protecting the health of vulnerable communities.
The Honorable Minister of Health of South Sudan, Yolanda Ouel Deng, confirmed that “cholera prevention is a priority in the areas identified for multi-sectoral interventions.” The oral vaccination campaigns aim to protect vulnerable groups and serve as a critical step toward implementing sustainable interventions in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
Due to the ongoing humanitarian crises in South Sudan and the continued cholera outbreaks driven by limited access to safe drinking water and poor sanitation services, a ring vaccination strategy will be implemented in the context of limited resources to maximize the impact of the vaccination campaigns, alongside other response interventions such as enhanced cholera surveillance, patient care, risk communication, and the improvement and provision of sustainable water and sanitation interventions.
Dr. Humphrey Karamoja, WHO Representative in South Sudan, noted that “although cholera is endemic in South Sudan, WHO and its partners, alongside the Ministry of Health, are now better prepared to reduce the outbreak and curb transmission through targeted interventions.” He added, “Strategic interventions include oral vaccination campaigns in at-risk areas, training rapid response teams at the state level (RRTs), preparing and providing diagnostic test kits and essential supplies for patient management. These measures have improved surveillance and helped ensure a rapid response to suspected and confirmed cases.”
Hamida Lasko, UNICEF Representative, stated, “Cholera remains a major threat to the health of vulnerable groups in South Sudan, particularly children and women. UNICEF works in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners to ensure increased access to life-saving vaccines through effective cold chain systems, improve water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as behavioral change efforts to address the root causes of this preventable disease. Together, we can protect communities and build a healthier, more resilient future.”
The Ministry of Health will implement vaccination campaigns in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and other health sector partners in the affected states.
Cholera continues to present a significant public health challenge in South Sudan, exacerbated by ongoing humanitarian crises that primarily affect children, women, and other vulnerable groups. Recurrent cholera outbreaks highlight the continued exposure of populations to this preventable and treatable disease.
