15 children die in botched South Sudan vaccine campaign

South Sudan's government said 15 young children have died in a botched measles vaccination campaign which saw people as young as 12 years old administering the vaccines.

15 children die in botched South Sudan vaccine campaign

South Sudan's government said 15 young children have died in a botched measles vaccination campaign which saw people as young as 12 years old administering the vaccines.

The health ministry on Friday blamed the deaths on human error. One syringe was used for all the children, and the vaccine was not stored properly.

The government said all of the children who died were under the age of five. It is setting up a commission to determine who is responsible and whether victims' families will be compensated.

The measles vaccination campaign is targeting more than two million children across the country.

The World Health Organisation provides some training to South Sudan's health officials and the UN children's agency provides the vaccines to the government.

AP

more courts articles

DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers
UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules
Former prisoner given indefinite hospital order for killing Irishman in London Former prisoner given indefinite hospital order for killing Irishman in London

More in this section

‘Micropreemie’ baby who weighed 1lb and 1oz at birth goes home from hospital ‘Micropreemie’ baby who weighed 1lb and 1oz at birth goes home from hospital
Eight watches owned by Michael Schumacher fetch £3.5m at auction in Geneva Eight watches owned by Michael Schumacher fetch £3.5m at auction in Geneva
Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dies aged 92 Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dies aged 92
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited