Zambia starts vaccination campaign in cholera-affected district

LUSAKA - A cholera vaccination campaign targeting 191,153 people has started in a northern Zambian district following fresh outbreaks.

According to state media reports on Wednesday, the cholera vaccination campaign in Nakonde district began Tuesday, targeting those aged one and above, with 200,000 doses received, said District Health Director Philip Munkonge.

"We are hopeful that the administration of the vaccine will be successful so that people can get immunity from contracting the disease," Munkonge was quoted by the Zambia Daily Mail as saying.

He added that public awareness efforts were conducted, and all preparations were finalized to ensure proper vaccine administration.

He further said that 781 shallow wells in cholera-prone areas have been treated to ensure that people have access to clean water.

Cholera broke out in the district in December, with 17 cases reported so far. All patients have been treated and discharged, with no new cases reported in the past four days.

The district was among those affected during Zambia's cholera outbreak from October 2023 into 2024, which resulted in over 20,000 cases and more than 700 deaths nationwide.