South Sudan Requests 5 Million Covid-19 Vaccine Doses

South Sudan through their Ministry of Health have confirmed requesting five million doses of Covid-19 vaccine.

Their request is due to the fact that the country continues to witness an upsurge in the cases.

An application by the Ministry has been submitted to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi), an international organisation which is trying to improve access to immunisation in poor countries.

“For health workers we are requesting 27,000, for elderly population, 2,960,380, persons with underline factors like diabetics 220,120 doses, persons living with HIV/AIDS, 190,000, Internally Displaced People 405,000, school teachers 46,000, and economically active population – who are between 25 and 40 years, we have requested for them 2,281,147 doses,” Dr John Rumunu Pasquale, Director-General for Preventive Health Services in the National Ministry of Health told reporters in the capital, Juba.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that South Sudan will witness an upsurge in cases of Covid-19 during the second wave.

“In Africa, there are 10 countries that contribute to 90% of positive cases of Covid-19. Amongst them are three neighbouring countries to South Sudan: Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. So it is expected that we will see cases in South Sudan rising because of travel and trade between these neighbouring countries which are contributing the huge caseload and South Sudan,” Dr Guracha Argata Guyo, WHO’s acting Country Representative in South Sudan, said.