A reactive measles vaccination marketing campaign concentrating on 37 390 kids aged between 6 months to 14 years is underway this week in Juba County.
The marketing campaign that began on 5 September 2022 is being carried out by the Ministry of Well being with help from WHO and companions in Kator, Rajaf payams and two IDP websites in Juba.
The vaccination actions are being carried out at well being facilities, faculties and outreach facilities to maximise entry to all of the susceptible members of the neighborhood. The marketing campaign goals to attain not less than 95 % protection to interrupt the continued transmission of the measles virus within the county.
Juba county has a historical past of recurring measles outbreaks with one outbreak confirmed in 2017 and a newer one in 2019.
The present outbreak began with the preliminary circumstances being reported in mid-July 2022 which led to additional investigation and affirmation of the outbreak in 5 payams in Juba County. For the reason that starting of the outbreak, 79 measles circumstances with no deaths have been reported from the 5 affected payams.
“Measles vaccines are secure and efficient, cheap and supply long-lasting safety”, stated Dr Jamal Hassen, Director Basic, Ministry of Well being Central Equatoria State. “In South Sudan, the Ministry supplies routine vaccination providers towards vaccine preventable illnesses for the neighborhood freed from cost to forestall kids towards measles”.
Measles is among the most contagious illnesses of people that’s attributable to the measles virus. Measles is preventable and might be eradicated by vaccination. International locations are suggested to strengthen their routine immunization programmes to succeed in all of the susceptible kids to cut back the sickness and dying attributable to measles. The routine immunization protection for measles vaccine in Juba was reported to be beneath 50% in the course of the first half of 2022, which is beneath than the anticipated of 95 %.
“COVID-19 has disrupted immunization programmes world wide, growing the danger of extreme outbreaks”, stated Dr Fabian Ndenzako, WHO Consultant a.i. for South Sudan. “Vaccine stays essentially the most cost-effective safety measure towards measles. Because of Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, the continued reactive marketing campaign centered on constructing immunity amongst over 37 000 kids who’re susceptible to measles infections and it’s issues”.
Additional to the vaccination campaigns, WHO and companions supported the Ministry of Well being to boost measles surveillance and strengthen case administration for measles by means of refresher coaching for frontline healthcare employees, surveillance officers, and the state and county speedy response groups.
The Ministry of Well being and companions are dedicated towards restoring and strengthening immunization providers throughout the nation.
Technical contacts:
Mr Julu Louis, E-mail:louisju [at] who.int
Ms Eva Soro, E-mail:soroev [at] who.int