People line up to take oral cholera vaccine at Juba's IDPs camp 3. December 18, 2024. (Photo: Lou Nelson/Eye Radio).

The National Ministry of Health announced the arrival of 1.1 million doses of the oral cholera vaccine in South Sudan on Sunday, donated by the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI).

The Undersecretary of Ministry of Health the Dr. Harriet Pasquale Akello stated that the vaccines will be widely rolled out to protect people in high-risk areas, including Juba, Rubkona, Pigi, and Aweil West.

Dr. Harriet Pasquale said the distribution plan allocates 700,000 doses for Juba, with the remaining 400,000 doses to be distributed among Rubkona Pigi and Aweil West.

Despite the widespread nature of the outbreak, she highlighted positive signs of improvement in areas such as Malakal and Renk, where a decline in cases has been observed.

The official said the Ministry of Health has extended its outreach efforts to affected counties across seven states, aiming to curb the epidemic’s spread.

“I would like to update the public and the people of South Sudan that very pleased to announced the receiving of 1.1 million doses of oral cholera vaccine, which would be used to vaccinate the people in Juba, of Rubkona Pegi, and Aweil West,” said Dr. Pasquale in an interview with Eye Radio.

“The vaccine will to be distributed, it’s followed 700.000 for Juba, and then the remaining 400,000 the distributed among, the other locations in Rubkona Pegi, and Aweil West.”

South Sudan Declared in October, the outbreak of cholera which rapidly spread across Unity State, straining public health resources and the capacity of medical teams to contain the epidemic.

The country has since reported a cumulative total of more than 10,000 and around 150 deaths, according to Dr. Pasquale, who also noted that data collection has been hindered by the Christmas break.

On December 27, Unity State Minister of Health Kai Riek Machar, reported that the cumulative cases in the state has risen 6,458 cases as of December 26, with 125 deaths.

Minister Machar emphasized the challenge posed by the absence of cholera vaccines, noting that promised supplies from humanitarian organizations are yet to arrive.