WHO confirmed today, 2 April 2019, the arrival of 884,953 doses of cholera vaccine to support the humanitarian response in Beira, the most affected area hit by the Tropical Cyclone Idai, in Mozambique. The vaccination campaign is expected to start tomorrow, 3 April, and will add to the efforts already in place to control the spread of cholera.
The immunization drive will use vaccines from the global emergency stockpile, managed by the International Coordination Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision, a mechanism steered by WHO, UNICEF, IFRC, MSF, and funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. ICG evaluates vaccine requests through a rapid consultation process and decisions are informed to countries within 48 hours.
Vaccine release to Beira was approved by the ICG within 24 hours after country’s request, submitted on 21 March, considering the increased risk of cholera outbreaks associated with flooding, which can compromise water sources, putting the health of thousands of people at risk.
To provide timely support and accelerate immunization drives, vaccines were shipped directly to Beira, decreasing the number of intermediaries and risks associated with road transportation.
The response in Beira was triggered by the Cyclone Idai, which struck Mozambique during the night of 14 to 15 March, leaving floods and thousands of people displaced and at risk of cholera and other water-borne diseases. WHO and its global health partners are scaling up efforts in the country to safeguard people’s lives and ensure rapid response to disease outbreaks.