By Manas James
Local authorities in Jonglei State’s Twic East County launched an oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaign on Tuesday, aiming to protect a population of 57,000 individuals across the county.
The initiative comes in response to a severe cholera outbreak that has afflicted the region, exacerbated by the impact of devastating floods that have left Twic East largely isolated.
Chol Deng Leek, the County Health Director, informed No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper that the vaccination campaign is scheduled to run for one week and will target individuals aged one year and older.
He expressed optimism following the receipt of 169,000 vaccine doses, which is sufficient to ensure coverage for the entire population.
Twic East is among the hardest-hit areas in Jonglei State, having suffered extensively from both financial and health crises due to the floods.
These floods have not only disrupted the community’s daily activities but have also played a significant role in the cholera outbreak that began last year. So far, it has resulted in at least 330 reported cases, with 19 fatalities, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.
“We received 169,000 doses of oral cholera vaccines and trained vaccinators just prior to our launch,” stated Leek. “The campaign commenced in Panyagoor town, focusing on our target population of 57, 000.”
Juac Arok Juac, the county commissioner, highlighted the significance of the vaccination campaign for the community.
“Twic East is one of the counties most affected by the cholera outbreak. These vaccines come at a crucial time for us. Over 50 per cent of our population lives in swampy areas, where the risk of cholera transmission is higher, and we will extend this campaign to those regions as well. We are relieved, as we lost 19 people to cholera last year. This vaccination gives us hope,” he said.
Local resident Peter Deng from Panyagoor Town expressed his sense of safety after receiving the vaccine.
“Cholera killed so many people, so I am happy that I am vaccinated and protected from this disease,” he remarked.
This vaccination campaign is a critical step towards curbing the cholera outbreak and protecting the vulnerable population of Twic East County, as local health officials and community leaders work tirelessly to address the ongoing health crisis in the state.