Zambia launches oral cholera vaccination campaign as cases spread

16:45

By: Azzat Manal

Zambia launches oral cholera vaccination campaign as cases spread

Zambia has launched a new oral cholera vaccination campaign targeting areas most affected by the ongoing outbreak, including the capital, Lusaka, and Chipombo district in the Central Province. Health authorities have allocated more than 500,000 vaccine doses for the initial phase, with a further 480,000 doses expected to arrive for distribution to other affected communities.

Health Minister Roma Chilengi said the campaign aims to protect people living in areas with the highest number of infections. Authorities are prioritising vulnerable communities while seeking to manage available vaccine supplies carefully amid continued pressure on global cholera vaccine stocks.

The outbreak was confirmed in Lusaka on July 28 before spreading to 12 districts across five provinces, according to the information provided by the health minister. Zambia has recorded 966 cases, including 43 new infections in the 24 hours preceding the announcement. The death toll since the beginning of the outbreak has reached 25.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It can spread rapidly in communities where access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation is limited. Severe cases can lead to dangerous dehydration, making early diagnosis and prompt treatment essential to reducing deaths.

The vaccination drive forms part of a broader response intended to contain transmission and limit the outbreak’s impact on affected communities. Oral cholera vaccines can provide important protection, particularly when deployed alongside measures that improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

Chilengi stressed that vaccination alone would not be sufficient to stop the outbreak. Authorities are also strengthening disease surveillance, promoting early detection, improving patient care and reinforcing measures to ensure access to safe drinking water. Better sanitation, waste management and hygiene practices are also central to preventing further infections.

Residents in the targeted areas have been encouraged to take advantage of the vaccination campaign. The minister also urged anyone experiencing acute watery diarrhoea to seek medical attention immediately at the nearest health facility, as rapid treatment can significantly reduce the risk of severe complications.

Local authorities and community leaders have been called upon to intensify public awareness campaigns and encourage households to adopt preventive hygiene practices. As Zambia expands its response, the effectiveness of the campaign will depend on vaccine delivery, early treatment, community participation and sustained improvements in water and sanitation services.