UN in Zambia Hands Over Cholera Vaccines to the Zambian Government

The United Nations (UN) System in Zambia handed over 1.4 million doses of the Oral Cholera Vaccine to the Government of the Republic of Zambia as part of the response to the cholera outbreak that has since October 2023 seen 9,580 infected and 374 lose their lives. Another 200,000 doses of the vaccine are expected to arrive in the country, bringing the total number of doses from the UN to just over 1.7 million.

Speaking when she handed over the vaccines to the Minister of Health Minister, Hon. Sylvia Masebo, MP, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. Cissy Byenkya Kabasuuga underscored the UN’s support to help Zambia overcome the current cholera outbreak, which is more severe than others recorded in the recent past, with a very high case fatality rate of four percent.  Ms Kabasuuga also noted the disease’s impact on children.

“A sad fact about the current cholera outbreak is that it is affecting children disproportionally -- 52 per cent of all cases in Zambia are children under 15 years of age. Thirty per cent of all deaths are among children under the age of five,” she said.

Ms Kabasuuga also called for is need for lasting solutions to ensure that cholera does not keep recurring in the country.

“We need long term solutions such as ensuring proper hygiene and provision of safe water and adequate sanitation in communities. We propose that no new unplanned settlements should be allowed and existing ones should be upgraded and where not possible, consider relocating people to other areas,” she said.

And the Minister of Health paid tribute to the United Nations for the contribution.

“On behalf of the people of Zambia and His Excellency the President and the government and on my own behalf, I want to say a big thank you. We would not have made it without your support. The UN is our all-weather partner and always there for us. We are very grateful. Let us continue with this partnership,” Ms Masebo said.

In the context of these vaccines, there will be no mass vaccination. The vaccines will be provided to eligible children, frontline workers and people who are more susceptible to infection.

In response to the cholera outbreak that hit the country in October last year, the UN in Zambia has supported with staff at strategic and technical levels, provided liquid chlorine, granular chlorine, buckets and soap, and Oral Rehydration Solution. Further, in collaboration with partners such as the Red Cross Society, the UN has trained and deployed Community-Health Volunteers throughout the country who are reaching millions of people with messages on prevention and access to services.

With the arrival of the vaccines, the government plans to launch the vaccination drive on 16 January 2023 in selected parts of Lusaka where the outbreak has been concentrated.

Ms Kabasuuga noted that successful vaccine preventable disease campaigns such as the Oral Cholera Vaccine initiative, especially in emergencies, provide additional protection in the package of key interventions to address the outbreak. These campaigns, she further noted, require high-levels of engagement, advocacy and leadership from the Government and partners, including the UN, to support traditionally low performing communities, reaching up to the last mile, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach geographical terrains, so every eligible person is vaccinated.