Juba: South Sudan has launched an daring nationwide campaign that objectives to vaccinate a daring 3.47 million children used 0 to 59 months towards polio, utilizing the progressive Oral Polio Vaccine kind 2 (nOPV2).
This crucial initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and backed by the World Health Group (WHO), UNICEF, and a coalition of dedicated companions, is a staunch away response to the alarming 36 confirmed cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus kind 2 (cVDPV2) discovered in eight counties all the scheme via Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria, Better Nile, and Jonglei States.
In the face of a humanitarian crisis that has caused major inhabitants displacements, reaching every child in need of vaccination gifts a rare discipline. On the other hand, the committed polio personnel is willing to overcome these hurdles, obvious to attain even the most isolated villages and settlements over the next four days.
It’s crucial to designate that cVDPV2 cases can arise when the weakened are residing virus in the oral polio vaccine spreads amongst people who’re no longer fully immunized. This rare circumstance can lead to paralysis, highlighting the serious nature of this vaccination drive. By guaranteeing children secure extra than one doses, we are able to safeguard them towards both wild and circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Viruses.
Dr. Harriet Pasquale Akello, Undersecretary Ministry of Health, has a great message for all caregivers: “In mild of our nation’s hard stipulations, we race everybody to take this different. This polio campaign is crucial—every child below five must secure oral polio vaccines. Our purpose is obvious: to stop the transmission of poliomyelitis. Today, we’re launching this big campaign to accomplish obvious that that every child all the scheme via South Sudan is reached and safe towards this preventable disease.”
Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative for South Sudan, expressed deep appreciation for the reinforce from the executive and electorate of South Sudan, as neatly as the generous contributions from the World Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partnership and neatly being allies: “This vaccination campaign is a huge step toward eradicating polio, a disease that no child could well well comprise to quiet ever comprise to face. Our collective efforts showcase our unwavering commitment to guaranteeing that no child is at risk of polio.”
“UNICEF remains steadfast in supporting the Ministry of Health, WHO, and partners in this nationwide effort to vaccinate 3.47 million children against polio. This campaign is a crucial step toward eliminating the outbreak and safeguarding every child from this debilitating disease. Because no child is safe, until all are protected, we continue to strengthen the cold chain system to maintain vaccine efficacy, mobilize communities and empower frontline health workers to reach even the most remote areas” acknowledged Obia Achieng, UNICEF Deputy Representative Programs.
In December 2023, South Sudan declared a Public Health Emergency following the confirmation of cVDPV2 outbreak. In response, the nation has successfully performed three nationwide polio vaccination rounds in February, April, and November 2024, with this fourth round kicking off today and running via 7 February 2025. Together, we are able to accomplish history in conserving our children and guaranteeing a extra healthy future for South Sudan.
About the circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus kind 2 (cVDPV2)
Circulating Vaccine Polio Virus Sort 2 cases can occur when the weakened are residing virus in the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) regains energy and causes paralysis in a in point of fact rare condition and spreads amongst people which shall be no longer fully immunized. This invent of the virus can trigger paralysis. To stop this, all children must salvage the oral polio vaccine all the scheme via the campaign, and all the scheme via the noncampaign time, it is mechanically given with other vaccines in the neatly being facility. Getting extra than one doses of the vaccine will give protection to towards both wild and circulating variant polioviruses.
As of January 2025, cases of circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV-2) comprise been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Mozambique, French Guiana, and Guinea.
For extra knowledge, please contact:
Ministry of Health: Mary Denis Obat, E-mail: mobat43 [at] gmail.com (mobat43[at]gmail[dot]com), Tel.: +211 924 887 006
WHO: Atem John, E-mail: atema [at] who.int (atema[at]who[dot]int), Tel.: +211921736375
UNICEF: Richard Ruati, E-mail: rruati [at] unicef.org (rruati[at]unicef[dot]org), Tel: +211921-359-578
