By James Innocent
National Ministry of Health has launched a pneumonia vaccination campaign in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State.
As part of awareness, a one-day meeting that brought stakeholders was convened to inform the community about the importance of vaccination.
National Ministry of Health officials revealed that this year they are targeting over 3.5 million children across the nation.
World Health Organization official Kaden Jackson emphasized that the meeting focused on the pneumonia vaccine, which will protect children from tuberculosis and improve overall child health.
“The vaccine will be rotational and will protect children from more than five diseases. If a child is not vaccinated against pneumonia or measles, they are at a higher risk of serious illness,” he stated.
Jackson added that some community members underestimate the importance of vaccination.
“This program targets children from one year and older, and all vaccines will be available in every hospital,” he noted.
On behalf of the National Ministry of Health, Sesco Angelo emphasized the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the vaccine reaches every part of South Sudan.
He urged parents to take responsibility for their children’s health during vaccination, likening it to how military officers protect the community. He highlighted the dangers of pneumonia, which is a serious and deadly disease.
The Acting Director of the County Health Department, Malish Gordon Faustino, welcomed the meeting, stressing the need for all children to be vaccinated against pneumonia to enhance their health.
He thanked stakeholders for attending the meeting to gather accurate information to share with communities, especially since children’s immune systems are particularly weak.
Meanwhile, Isaac Peter Zachayo, the inspector of Yei River County local government, noted that they had heard about the new vaccine arriving in Yei for over a year, and it has finally arrived.
“The vaccine has been well tested by the Ministry of Health, which is why it has been brought to Yei,” he added.
Kenyi Samuel, the state communication officer for Central Equatoria State, stated that the vaccine is effective in protecting children against pneumonia and urged all stakeholders to encourage parents to bring their children for vaccination.