GOVT LAUNCHES CHOLERA VACCINATIONS
By Luyando Hamwala
Health Minister, SYLVIA MASEBO says government has targeted to vaccinate about One Million and 38- Thousand people in Lusaka district against Cholera.
This is part of the Cholera Elimination Campaign aimed at having ZERO Cholera cases by 2025.
Ms. MASEBO says Oral Cholera vaccination is not only a stop gap measure to save life but a critical mitigation measure against the societal disruptions caused by the epidemic.
Ms MASEBO was speaking when she launched the oral Cholera Vaccination exercise in Kanyama Township which is one of the Cholera hotspot in the City under the Zambia Multi-Sectoral Cholera Elimination Plan.
She said the plan aims at ensuring that 85 percent of the population living in cholera hotspots is fully vaccinated with the two required doses of the vaccine.
Ms. MASEBO has however called on the general public to play their part in ensuring the country remains free from cholera while remembering the devastating effects of the last 2017- 2018 cholera outbreak.
Meanwhile, United Nations Resident Coordinator COUMBA MAR GADIO has praised government’s efforts in preventing disease outbreaks.
Dr. MAR GADIO said the UN will continue to provide both technical and financial support in ensuring the safety and health of citizens.