South Sudan and Ghana have successfully secured more than 400,000 doses of oral cholera vaccines (OCV) to combat ongoing outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations from the deadly disease.
South Sudan has procured 282,153 doses, while Ghana has received 150,000 doses, both countries working in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other global health organizations to strengthen their response efforts.
In South Sudan, the vaccines, supplied by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) and procured through UNICEF with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will be deployed initially to cholera hotspots in Renk and Malakal Counties in Upper Nile State.
The mass vaccination campaign will be a key part of a broader strategy that includes improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions to help curb the spread of cholera.
Honorable Yolanda Awel Deng, Minister of Health for South Sudan, emphasized, “Cholera prevention is a priority in areas that have been prioritized for multisectoral intervention.” The vaccination campaign will be conducted alongside a ring vaccination strategy and enhanced surveillance to ensure that the outbreak is contained effectively.
Meanwhile, Ghana has been facing a cholera outbreak since October 2024, with 2,385 suspected cases, 196 confirmed, and 21 deaths reported. In response, the Ghana Health Service has launched a vaccination campaign targeting three hotspot sub-districts in Awutu Senya East District, with a focus on people aged two years and above. Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, urged citizens to maintain proper water, sanitation, and hygiene practices, as the vaccine complements—but does not replace—other preventive measures.
Both South Sudan and Ghana, with the support of WHO, UNICEF, and other partners, are working tirelessly to combat the cholera outbreaks and save lives by ensuring access to life-saving vaccines and critical health interventions.
