An MSF outreach worker administers oral cholera vaccine to a child at Juba IDPs Camp 3. December 18, 2024. (Photo: Lou Nelson).

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of National Health has announced that 1.1 million doses of cholera vaccine, donated by the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI), will arrive tomorrow.

Dr Harriet Pasquale Akello stated doses of the cholera vaccine will be prioritized for Unity State, especially Rubkona, as well as parts of Juba and Aweil West, which have been severely affected by the ongoing cholera outbreak.

As of December 23, South Sudan has reported a cumulative total of 9,690 cholera cases and 147 deaths.

However, Dr Harriet noted that data collection has been hindered by the Christmas break, with the latest figures from December 25 showing 449 new cases and 15 deaths.

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

Speaking to Eye Radio on Saturday, December 28, in Juba, Dr Harriet confirmed that the vaccines are being donated by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).

“We are expected to receive 1.1 million doses of cholera vaccines by the 29th of December and these vaccines will prioritise Rubkona and part of the vaccines will be used for Juba and Aweil West,” Dr Harriet stated.

“Currently, we have reported a cumulative of 9,690 cases and 147 death cases, this number of cases was reported on the 23rd of December 2024,” she said.

“The reason why we don’t have the latest data is because of the Christmas break and we had some challenges in collecting data. In the last 24 hours of the 25th December 2024, we have reported 449 cases with 15.”

“The situation at the moment is improving in parts of the country, especially in Malakal and Renk. We have seen a decline; we have seen happening at the moment We have now reached out to counties affected and seven states.”

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

On Friday, December 28, the state minister of health in Unity State, Kai Riek Machar, reported that the cholera outbreak in the state has escalated to 6,458 cases as of December 26, with 125 deaths case.

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

He stressed that the 225,000 vaccines pledged by health partners would not be sufficient for the state’s population.