South Sudan inches closer to achieving COVID-19 vaccination target
South Sudan’s government despite logistical and manpower challenges is inching closer to achieving it’s initial target of vaccinating 2.4 million of it’s population against COVID-19.
Brendan Dineen, the Coordinator for the Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) with the World Health Organization in South Sudan on Sunday revealed that so far 1.55 million people out of the set target of 2.4 million have been fully vaccinated.
Dineen revealed during press conference in Juba, the capital of South Sudan that they have received since last year 3.05 million doses of both Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines.
South Sudan commenced mass vaccination April 2021 after receiving it’s first batch of vaccines from COVAX.
Malick Gai, the Acting Covid-19 Incident Manager for WHO said they have decided to conduct about 10,000 COVID-19 tests weekly in order to reach their initial vaccination target.
Mabior Kiir, the Manager for the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre, warned the public to continue observing COVID-19 preventive health measures such as avoiding overcrowded areas.
The ministry of health as of Saturday registered four new cases of COVID-19 bringing the cumulative total to 17,924 cases and 138 deaths since April 2020 when the first case was registered.
