A drive to vaccinate children between one day and 15 years of age against six diseases across all parts of South Sudan’s Jonglei state kicked off Tuesday in Twic East county.
County Commissioner Dau Akoi Jurkuch said the vaccinations began in county headquarters Panyagoor and later will move to five Payams of Twic East for a period of seven days.
The planned vaccination drive will reach all parts of the state, including rebel held areas, Jonglei State Minister of Information and Communications Jody Jonglei said Sunday.
Beginning in the government-controlled greater Bor area, the campaign will continue on 8 September in rebels lands and the greater Pibor administrative area.
Commissioner Dau said insecurity in Warnyol Payam has made that place inaccessible but that many children from there have moved to Panyagoor for their vaccination.
Dau explained that there are no outbreaks of diseases in Twic East and that the vaccination is a routine prevention exercise for children.
Commissioner Dau did not know the exact number of children to be vaccinated.
“I don’t know the target number of children ready for vaccinations but after the campaign vaccinations we could be able to give you the figure of the children that underwent vaccine,” he said.
Dau said the vaccination campaign is a joint exercise between the government and the Care International aid group.
MSF photo
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