The Ministry of health has introduced the five-in-one vaccine to protect children against the killer diseases.

The vaccine was launched at Al-Sabah Children’s Hospital in Juba this morning.

The new five-in-one injection is to protect infants against the preventable diseases like Tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, Diphtheria and Whooping cough.

Penta vaccine replaces tri-valent vaccine which prevents only three childhood diseases – diphtheria, tetanus and tuberculosis.

The penta valent vaccine is being provided by the government free of charge.

Central Equatoria Minister of Health Emmanuel Baya said that serum has been added to the trivalent vaccine to produce the pentavalent vaccine.

“We have added two to the same injection so that people should not worry that there are going to be more injections for the children,” said Mr Baya.

Unicef deputy representative, Ettie Higgins, urged parents to take their children for vaccination with the new vaccine.

“We all have a role to play by creating awareness, encouraging parents to ensure that their children turn up for this vaccination in in the most outreach areas.”

South Sudan is the last country in the world to introduce the pentavalent vaccination after Somalia.

The health campaign targets about 50,000 in CES.