The Angolan Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Global Alliance for Vaccines (GAVI), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the European Union, will launch the second round of the cholera vaccination campaign in the province of Lunda Norte.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Health, the vaccination campaign will take place in Lunda Norte and the provinces of Cabinda, Cuanza Sul, Huíla, Namibe, and Zaire, and the Ministry has defined the selected municipalities as priorities based on daily epidemiological analyses.
The campaign involves around 942 teams of vaccinators, mobilisers and supervisors, who will visit communities and set up fixed posts in specific areas to reach all intended beneficiaries.
“This campaign covers everyone aged one year and older, and we will integrate it into a broader response, including enhanced surveillance, access to safe water and sanitation, timely treatment of cases, as well as risk communication and community engagement activities,” the ministry said.
The vaccine to be used is Euvichol-S, administered orally in a single dose, recently donated by GAVI, it added.
“The International Coordination Group (IGG) coordinates a global allocation process that makes this vaccine available, following negotiations with GAVI at the highest level, and this effort forms part of initiatives that support countries with active outbreaks and a high risk of transmission,” it said.
Since January, cholera has caused 763 deaths in Angola, with a total of 27,381 cases, and the number has recently declined from dozens of deaths and hundreds of cases per day to much lower figures. Data from the last 24 hours indicate a total of 23 new infections, with no reported deaths.
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