By Simon Deng
More than 16,000 people in South Sudan have been vaccinated against COVID-19, despite logistical challenges amid shortage of funds.
John Rumunu, Director General for Preventive Health Services revealed that a total of 15,518 and 991 people respectively have received their first and second COVID jabs of the AstraZeneca vaccines, since April 6 when the campaign started.
Rumunu told journalists on Sunday in Juba, that this brings the overall total of those vaccinated to 16,509.
He disclosed that this milestone has been realized after extending vaccination to the 10 states and three administrative areas of Pibor, Abyei and Ruweng.
On March 25, Juba received 132,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX facility.
The ministry of health as of Sunday said it registered no COVID-19 case, leaving the cumulative number of cases at 10,751, recoveries 10,514 and 115 deaths.
South Sudan registered it’s first COVID-19 case on April 5, last year.
Rumunu urged the public to continue to adhere to the health preventive measures on COVID-19 like hand washing, sanitizing, social distancing and wearing of face masks.