Arop Jonchol
Jonglei – Al-Wadi Newspaper
The Government of Jonglei State, represented by a delegation dispatched by Hon. Dr. Riek Gai Kok, has officially launched a free measles vaccination campaign aimed at eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases—particularly measles, which remains a leading cause of child deaths in Twic East County.
During the launch ceremony held Thursday at the Fangak County Hospital, County Commissioner Juong Arok Juong affirmed that the campaign targets immunizing 95% of eligible children in the county. He noted that the initiative will significantly help curb the spread of the disease across both the county and the state.
The governor’s team emphasized the importance of vaccinating children between 9 and 59 months of age against measles, highlighting that achieving broad coverage will have a major positive impact on disease prevention.
Deputy Director of the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Gabriel Magok Kuang, stated that the vaccines being administered during the campaign are both free and safe. He stressed their importance in preventing serious complications such as encephalitis, pneumonia, hearing loss, and other health issues.
Dr. Magok added that the state government is prioritizing effective preventative strategies with the goal of completely eradicating measles or reducing it to the lowest possible level in the county.
In the same context, County Health Director Dr. Chol Liek Deng explained that the campaign will be conducted at fixed vaccination sites, as well as through outreach efforts at schools, churches, and other public spaces.
Dr. Deng also revealed that the campaign will not be limited to measles vaccination. It will also include the provision of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls aged 9 to 14, alongside the continuation of routine immunization services to protect the local population from preventable diseases.
The launch event received strong backing from key partners such as Tearfund, UNICEF, local commissioners, and traditional leaders—highlighting broad community support for this vital health initiative.
