Expended Programme on immunization (EPI) center

Fire Ravages Bor Cold Chain, Consumes Vital Vaccine Stockpile By Deng Ghai Deng BOR– A devastating fire engulfed the main cold chain facility for the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Bor, Jonglei State, on Monday afternoon, resulting in the loss of thousands of vital vaccines. The assistant manager of the facility, Mr. Lual Ayuen Athiak, confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that a solar battery malfunctioned and exploded, setting the building ablaze and consuming the entire structure, along with all the medical vaccines, drugs, and equipment housed within. “There were solar-powered batteries that were installed within the rooms of the vaccines. One of the batteries was the cause of the fire outbreak in the central cold chain,” Lual explained. “As a result, we lost all the EPI equipment as well as the dry and wet supplies, including the building.” Lual said the cold chain house was the central hub for distributing vaccines to all nine counties in Jonglei State, and its destruction means a significant setback in the efforts to prevent disease outbreaks across the state. “It has disadvantaged the people of Jonglei State in terms of vaccine supply to the health facilities. There will no longer be any vaccines that are going to be supplied on time. The beneficiaries of the vaccines, mainly children, will not receive their vaccines on schedule because all the vaccines have been burned.” Lual added. Lual said the government of Jonglei State will resort to calling on the national authorities and international community for immediate assistance to rebuild the cold chain system and prevent a potential health crisis.