Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Health authorities in Morobo County, Central Equatoria State, have launched a seven-day measles immunization campaign targeting all children under the age of five across the county’s payams.
The campaign, led by the Morobo County Health Department in partnership with Support for Peace and Education Development Program (SPEDP), aims to curb the spread of measles following laboratory confirmation of cases in the area.
Speaking at the launch, County Health Director James Malish urged community members to cooperate and ensure all children are vaccinated.
“We are here to do our job — to immunize children because measles is highly contagious and dangerous if left unchecked,” Malish said. “If any village or payam is left out, please report it to the authorities. We want every child covered.”
Banda Elli, a project assistant with SPEDP, assured the public of the safety of the vaccines and emphasized the importance of mobilizing communities for the campaign.
“These vaccines are safe and meant to protect our children,” Elli said. “We also conduct community-based surveillance and have trained vaccinators stationed in the designated sites.”
According to Paul Kenyi, supervisor of the county’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), recent test results confirmed three positive cases of measles among children, raising concerns about the county’s limited healthcare infrastructure.
“The blood samples sent to Juba tested positive for measles,” Kenyi said. “This confirms the presence of the disease in Morobo. We are now prepared to deliver services across all payams during the seven-day campaign.”
County Executive Director Ezbon Gale echoed the urgency, warning that measles could be fatal if ignored. He also called on military personnel in nearby barracks to ensure their children are vaccinated.
“This disease is dangerous and potentially deadly,” Gale said. “I encourage all families, including soldiers, to bring their children for immunization.”
The campaign had previously faced delays due to insecurity in the area, which forced many residents to flee their homes. Despite the setbacks, the campaign officially began this week with a launch event attended by local authorities, citizens, and representatives from partner organizations.
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