Zambia launches oral cholera vaccination campaign to contain outbreak

Zambia on Friday launched an oral cholera vaccination campaign targeting Lusaka, the capital and epicenter of the current outbreak, alongside Chibombo District in the country's Central Province.

More than 500,000 vaccine doses are expected to be allocated to the two districts in the first phase of the campaign, while an additional 480,000 doses are expected to arrive soon for distribution to other affected areas.

Speaking at the launch, Health Minister Roma Chilengi said the targeted campaign aims to protect people in the hardest-hit areas while ensuring the efficient use of limited global vaccine supplies.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to eliminating cholera as a public health threat and expressed gratitude to cooperating partners and the private sector for supporting the delivery of essential medical services to affected communities.

Chilengi said the outbreak had spread to 12 districts across five provinces.

Zambia has recorded 966 cumulative cholera cases, including 43 new cases in the past 24 hours, and 25 deaths, the minister added.