The Government of Western Equatoria State, in partnership with health organizations, on Tuesday launched a malaria vaccination campaign in Yambio to protect children from the deadly disease.
The malaria vaccine, being introduced for the first time in the state, is given to children under five years old, with the initial dose starting at 6 months of age and continuing with doses at 7, 8, and 18 months.
Health authorities say the campaign is part of wider efforts to reduce child mortality and strengthen the fight against malaria, which remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in South Sudan.
Anisa Charles Paite, Acting EPI Manager at the State Ministry of Health, said vaccinators from all ten counties have been trained and more than 40,000 doses distributed across the state. He stressed that malaria continues to pose a serious threat to communities, and early childhood immunization is a vital step in protecting the next generation.
Christin Juma, Communication Officer at the National Ministry of Health, explained that the malaria vaccine has now been integrated into South Sudan’s routine immunization program. She said the rollout began last week in Ibba County and is now underway in Yambio and Nzara, with plans to expand to all ten counties of Western Equatoria.
Meanwhile, UNICEF’s Head of Field Office in Western Equatoria, Clement Gbatanawo, described malaria as a personal and national concern, recalling that he suffered from the disease in childhood.
He cited data showing that in 2022, South Sudan recorded over 2.8 million cases, with at least 18 children dying of malaria every day. He called the deaths “preventable and unacceptable.”
A representative of the World Health Organization in the state, John Lagu, echoed the concern, warning that children remain the most vulnerable group to malaria-related illness and death.
For his part, State Minister of Health James Abdallah Arona thanked the national government for supporting the rollout, and praised partners including UNICEF, World Vision, and CMMB for their contributions. He appealed for more assistance to reach children in greater Tambura, Mundri West, and Mundri East counties.
The partners reaffirmed their commitment to working with the state government to ensure that every eligible child receives the vaccine.
Malaria remains the leading public health threat in South Sudan, especially during the rainy season, when infection rates are highest.