By Baraka John
The Western Equatoria State Ministry of Health, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health agencies, has launched a week-long vaccination campaign aimed at protecting children under five from deadly childhood illnesses. The campaign, which began on Monday, June 9, will run across all 10 counties of the state.
Targeting 177,532 children aged between 1 and 5 years, the campaign focuses on the administration of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), which protects against pneumonia, a major cause of illness and death among young children in South Sudan. Although the campaign initially planned to include the rotavirus vaccine as well, health officials confirmed that only the pneumococcal vaccine is currently available in the state.
Speaking at the launch event, a representative from WHO in Western Equatoria underscored the importance of the vaccination effort, emphasizing that the vaccines are being provided free of charge. He warned that diarrheal diseases, particularly when left untreated, can quickly become fatal in children.
“I want to urge our mothers; today we are bringing to you the vaccines that can stop the diarrhea. The vaccine, even if the diarrhea is there. I am sure your child is not going to die”. He added
Western Equatoria State Minister of Health, James Abdalla Arona, noted a troubling rise in cases of pneumonia and diarrhea-related illnesses among children at the state hospital.
“For example, starting from May up to this month, June, when you go to the state hospital now, you will see there is a great problem. The challenges that are facing small children in the pediatric ward, without support from the national government, and our partners to deliver drugs to the state hospital, I am sure our children will not survive”. Arona added
Anisa Charles, the state’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) manager, highlighted the vulnerability of children under five due to their weaker immune systems. She explained that the pneumococcal vaccine is administered via injection, while the rotavirus vaccine, once available, is given orally.
According to health officials, pneumonia-related bacterial infections claim the lives of approximately 7,640 children under five each year in South Sudan. Globally, rotavirus accounts for the majority of severe diarrhea cases in infants and young children, contributing significantly to under-five mortality rates, which stand at 1.6 million deaths annually.
Officials urge parents and guardians to ensure their children receive the available vaccine during the seven-day campaign.
Health workers will be deployed throughout the state to reach rural and urban communities, ensuring equitable access to life-saving immunization.