Health officials in Yei River County have launched a five-day yellow fever vaccination campaign targeting 60,000 people ranging from 5-60 years of age.
The move is aimed at containing the spread of the disease in Yei River County after two people reportedly died of the disease in Kajo-Keji County.
Michael Lugala, the Yei River County health director told Radio Tamazuj that a recent survey carried out by health workers found that two patients had yellow fever. He said the vaccination campaign which started last week is expected to complete within this week.
“We started last week and the vaccination is supposed to last for five days but because people are many, we have extended the number of days and we are targeting 63,000 people and we are left with few doses to reach the target and we are targeting people from six months to sixty years,” Lugala said.
Asah Jamal was happy to be vaccinated.
“I got the Yellow Fever vaccination and I don’t feel any effect and I am okay with this vaccination. I can now cross over borders to go to other countries freely without restrictions because I now have the yellow fever card,” Jamal said.
David Fred, another resident of Yei town, said he feels happy and protected against deadly yellow fever.
“When I was injected, I was afraid but when I got vaccinated, I felt relieved. I am normal and happy I am vaccinated and this will also help me to travel out of the country and I am protected from the yellow fever disease,” Fred said.