Cabinet Affairs Minister disclosed on Wednesday that South Sudan is expected to vaccinate 451,500 children below the age of one year by the end of 2014.
Martin Elia Lomuro while addressing public during the launch of pentavalent vaccine at Al Shaba Children Hospital in Juba said more actions are needed to expand immunization nationwide, especially in areas that are hard to reach.
He expressed government commitment to ensure that no children die of tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, liver cirrhosis, whooping cough, tetanus and pneumonia in the country.
Dr Elia urged parents and guardians to ensure that children are vaccinated against the killer diseases.
Central Equatoria Health Minister Emmanuel Ija Baya said preventable diseases, including hepatitis B affects liver, causing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, dimophylus influenza affecting lungs, causing pneumonia, meningitis.
He told parents to look for vaccinators but not vaccinators to look for them to improve health condition.
Dr Ija said it was their hope that the introduction of the pentavallent vaccine would reduce child hood morbidity and mortality due to the vaccine preventable diseases, as part of government efforts in the country.
Dr Ija affirmed that immunization proved to be the most effective health intervention in saving lives.
He said Governors, Commissioners, Mayors, Payams and Bomas administrators would be followed up through the State Ministry of Health, health institutions to avail vaccinations sections at least every month.
Pentavalent is a five in one vaccine, preventing diseases, including Diphtheria, pertusis, tetanus, haemophilus B influenza type B infections and hepatitis B.
The vaccine was launched by the national government in collaboration with UNICEF, World Health Organization and other agencies.