Save the Children says it is deeply saddened by reports that 15 children under the age of five have died as a result of a botched measles vaccination campaign in Kapoeta East in South Sudan’s Kapoeta State.

“This is a very unfortunate incident and our thoughts are with the families and relatives of the children who have lost their lives. We believe the Ministry of Health and UN Agencies are following up to ascertain the reasons why this has happened,” Save the Children said in a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj yesterday.

The organization pointed out that its teams we are neither implementing health programmes nor conducting vaccinations in Kapoeta East.

South Sudan’s government announced on Thursday that at least 15 children died in a botched measles vaccination campaign in Kapoeta East County.

All of the children who died were under the age of five, said the Health Ministry, which blamed the deaths on human error.

It explained that one syringe was used for all the children, and the vaccine was not stored properly.