The ministry of health in South Sudan's Lakes State has launched a third Covid-19 vaccination drive targeting over 100,000 people.

The World Health Organization (WHO), the UN's children's agency, UNICEF, CUAMM International, and the national health ministry attended the launch at the Rumbek Freedom Square on Sunday.

Mary Adut Yuol, the Lakes State Covid-19 team manager, told Radio Tamazuj that the seven-day campaign which started on Monday will go to all counties of the state targeting about 117,742 people. 

“The community will have access to vaccination through suitable places like schools, churches, boreholes, and playgrounds," she said.  

Adut added that the health ministry and its partners have agreed that those waiting for their second AstraZeneca dose are eligible for the J&J vaccine.

"The second dose of AstraZeneca for those who received the first dose of AstraZeneca is not available. But they can come and receive J&J dose as a booster," she added.    

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj the acting director general of the Lakes State ministry of health, Dr. Barnaba Bol Amukpiu Machol, urged the people of Lakes State to turn out in large numbers for the exercise which he said is safe. 

According to the state health ministry, more than 1,500 community health workers will administer the vaccines.