South Sudan on Friday received 645,000 malaria vaccine doses to be distributed to 28 counties with the highest infection burden.
The vaccines were provided by Gavi – The Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, WHO and other partners, who target ensuring that all nations equitably access the anti-malaria prevention.
Speaking at the Juba International Airport on Friday, Health minister Yolanda Awel Juach, said the shipment was a milestone for South Sudan
“As we have heard and we know already, malaria is the number one killer of the vulnerable population in South Sudan,” Juach said, noting that children under five, pregnant women and the people with underlying conditions, were the most vulnerable.
The minister expressed her gratitude to the UK, Gavi and partners for the support.
UNICEF Deputy Representative Obia Achieng’ said the vaccines would transform the healthcare system of South Sudan.
Every day, I am informed that almost 18 children died of malaria in South Sudan. That could be approximately one child every hour daily, said Achieng’.
The vaccines that we have received today should transform the healthcare that we provide to the children of South Sudan, she added.
WHO Country Representative Dr Humphrey Karamagi said the reception of the vaccines was not just a victory for scientific innovation, but also the strength of partnership.
“Okay, so we gather here to acknowledge the arrival of 645,000 doses of the R21 malaria vaccine. This milestone is not just a victory of scientific innovation, but also the strength of our partnership and the commitment of the government of South Sudan in trying to resolve the problem with the deaths of our children,” said Karamagi.
Malaria is the biggest killer of children in South Sudan. In 2022, the country had an estimated 2.8 million cases and 6,680 deaths.
South Sudan has one of the region’s highest rates of malaria infections, with an estimated 7,630 cases and 18 people dying of the disease every day.
The malaria vaccine triggers the immune system against the first stages when the Plasmodium falciparum parasite enters the human host’s bloodstream through a mosquito bite and infects the liver cells.