JUBA, South Sudan (BG) – South Sudan has launched a mass cholera vaccination campaign in Rubkona County, Unity State, targeting over 300,000 people.

The campaign, announced Friday by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, is part of intensified efforts to curb the ongoing outbreak.

This marks the fourth county nationwide to begin vaccination as the country battles rising cholera cases.

Rubkona County is among 31 identified cholera hotspots and accounts for 50% of reported cases, according to WHO Africa.

The South Sudan Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and other partners, is leading this vaccination effort to protect vulnerable communities from the deadly disease.

Government Commitment to Disease Control

A high-level delegation, led by Vice President H.E. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, visited Rubkona this week to observe the response efforts and officially launch the campaign.

“We thank the Ministry of Health and the partners for their unwavering commitment to curb the cholera outbreak” said Vice President Akol “the roll out of the cholera vaccine nationwide is part of the broader government efforts aimed at combating the cholera outbreak and save lives.”

Vice President Akol also highlighted the government’s continued work in providing healthcare, clean water, and hygiene promotion across affected areas.

The launch event was attended by several dignitaries, including Minister of Health Yolanda Awel Deng Juach, the Governor of Unity State, and representatives from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), WHO, UNICEF, and other humanitarian partners.

Minister Deng urged health stakeholders to strengthen support for preventive measures.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our healthcare workers on the frontlines, who are dedicated to caring for cholera patients and curbing the transmission,” Deng said.

“The vaccine we are introducing today is lifesaving, and I encourage the community to get vaccinated and adhere to all precautionary measures to minimize the risk of contracting cholera,” Deng added.

WHO Stresses Ongoing Challenges

Dr. Jetri Regmi, Technical Officer for Health Expertise and Operations and WHO Officer-in-Charge, emphasized the pressure on South Sudan’s health system due to ongoing humanitarian crises.

“The oral cholera vaccination campaigns serve as a protective measure for vulnerable populations, it is one of the tools in our health interventions tool boxes that will pave way for sustainable health outcome,” Dr. Regmi stated.

South Sudan declared a cholera outbreak in October 2024. As of Jan. 7, 2025, more than 17,581 cases have been reported nationwide, with a case fatality rate of 1.5%.

With support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, South Sudan has secured over 1.3 million doses of cholera vaccines for hotspot areas.

The vaccination campaign in Juba began on Jan. 8 and will run for seven days.