South Sudan is vaccinating 3.4 million children to eliminate the polio outbreak

Juba: South Sudan has launched an fearless nationwide marketing campaign that objectives to vaccinate an spectacular 3.47 million children light 0 to 59 months in opposition to polio, the utilization of the innovative Oral Polio Vaccine style 2 (nOPV2).

This well-known initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and backed by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and a coalition of dedicated companions, is an instantaneous response to the alarming 36 confirmed cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus style 2 (cVDPV2) point to in eight counties across Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria, Higher Nile, and Jonglei States.

In the face of a humanitarian crisis that has prompted well-known inhabitants displacements, reaching every child making an attempt vaccination presents a appreciable field. Nevertheless, the dedicated polio crew is ready to overcome these hurdles, determined to attain even the most isolated villages and settlements over the next four days.

It’s mandatory to model that cVDPV2 cases can arise when the weakened reside virus in the oral polio vaccine spreads among those that are no longer fully immunized. This rare circumstance can lead to paralysis, highlighting the crucial nature of this vaccination drive. By ensuring children receive multiple doses, we can safeguard them in opposition to both wild and circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Viruses.

Dr. Harriet Pasquale Akello, Undersecretary Ministry of Health, has an spectacular message for all caregivers: “In light of our country’s appealing prerequisites, we crawl all people to rob this opportunity. This polio marketing campaign is well-known—every child beneath five must always receive oral polio vaccines. Our aim is certain: to stop the transmission of poliomyelitis. Today, we’re launching this huge marketing campaign to be sure every child across South Sudan is reached and get in opposition to this preventable disease.”

Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Advisor for South Sudan, expressed deep appreciation for the strengthen from the authorities and citizens of South Sudan, in addition to the generous contributions from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partnership and properly being allies: “This vaccination marketing campaign is a huge step toward eradicating polio, a disease that no child must always ever hang to face. Our collective efforts showcase our unwavering commitment to ensuring 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 Advisor Purposes.

In December 2023, South Sudan declared a Public Health Emergency following the affirmation of cVDPV2 outbreak. In response, the country has successfully performed three national polio vaccination rounds in February, April, and November 2024, with this fourth round kicking off today and working thru 7 February 2025. Together, we can get history in defending our children and ensuring a extra healthy future for South Sudan.

About the circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus style 2 (cVDPV2)
Circulating Vaccine Polio Virus Form 2 cases can happen when the weakened reside virus in the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) regains energy and causes paralysis in a very rare condition and spreads among those that are no longer fully immunized. This form of the virus can aim paralysis. To prevent this, all children must always get the oral polio vaccine in the direction of the marketing campaign, and in the direction of the noncampaign time, it is robotically given with other vaccines in the properly being facility. Getting multiple doses of the vaccine will protect in opposition to both wild and circulating variant polioviruses.

As of January 2025, cases of circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV-2) had been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Mozambique, French Guiana, and Guinea.

For extra files, please contact:
Ministry of Health: Mary Denis Obat, Electronic mail: mobat43 [at] gmail.com (mobat43[at]gmail[dot]com), Tel.: +211 924 887 006
WHO: Atem John, Electronic mail: atema [at] who.int (atema[at]who[dot]int), Tel.: +211921736375
UNICEF: Richard Ruati, Electronic mail: rruati [at] unicef.org (rruati[at]unicef[dot]org), Tel: +211921-359-578