Health officials in Lakes State’s Awerial County Health Department (CHD) said a third Covid-19 vaccinations drive is underway in the county.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj during the launch on Monday, the director of Awerial CHD James Manyiel Agup said the seven-day drive targets about 7,000 people.
“We are launching Covid-19 third round and we are targeting a population of 7,350 people. Each team is covering 70 people per day or 100, and it takes seven days,” he added.
Manyiel explained that the people will be alerted on where the vaccinations will take place as it will not be a door-to-door exercise.
“When we conducted first and second rounds of Covid-19 vaccinations, the turn-out was very poor and it was only, 4,607 who were vaccinated,” he added.
According to Manyiel, the low turn-out was a result of myths surrounding the Covid-19 vaccines. He also said all pregnant women and lactating mothers are free to receive the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
At the same time, Awerial County Commissioner Simon Jok Geng said he is optimistic that the vaccine uptake will be high as the town is hosting cattle cames and many villagers.
He called on the population to come out in numbers to take the lifesaving vaccines free of charge.
“I would like to advise them that this vaccine is brought by the government to serve you and to save your life. You can not make
it as a political thing,” he advised.
According to South Sudan’s health ministry, until mid-last month, the country had reported over 17683 confirmed cases and 138 cumulative deaths.
On the 17th of June, South Sudan recorded only four new cases as new covid infections increased in the region.