Luanda, July 4, 2025 - With the number of cholera cases showing a sustained downward trend and no deaths reported in recent days, Angola today received 2 million oral cholera vaccines, in a joint effort between the Ministry of Health, Gavi - the Global Alliance for Vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the European Union and other partners in the health sector.

The official ceremony to receive the vaccines took place this afternoon in Luanda and marked a new chapter in the national response to the outbreak that has been ravaging the country since January this year.

"We are living through a crucial moment in the fight against cholera. The arrival of these vaccines strengthens our integrated response, allowing us to act more effectively in municipalities with active outbreaks and to preventively protect populations at risk. Cholera vaccines are not an isolated solution, but a powerful tool, used at the right time, in conjunction with other health measures," declared Angola's Minister of Health, Dr. Sílvia Lutucuta.

According to updated data from the health authorities, since January the country has accumulated 27,187 cases and 761 deaths. The number of cases has been falling in recent weeks, reflecting the impact of the response actions already underway.

The single-dose Euvichol-S oral vaccines will be administered to people aged one year and over in priority municipalities in the provinces of Cabinda, Kwanza Sul, Huila, Lunda Norte, Namibe and Zaire, where there is still active transmission of the disease. The municipalities were selected based on daily epidemiological analyses carried out by the health authorities.

"We have seen a significant reduction in the number of cases and, fortunately, no deaths in recent days. The vaccines are now enough to enable the final control of the outbreak, but they must be accompanied by complementary measures such as access to drinking water, safe sanitation, adequate treatment and community education," stressed Dr. João Rangel de Almeida, WHO Cholera Incident Manager in Angola.

The delivery of the vaccines was possible thanks to the international allocation mechanism coordinated by the International Coordination Group (ICG), with technical and logistical support from health partners in Angola.

The vaccination campaign will begin in the next few days and will be coordinated by the National Directorate of Public Health in collaboration with its provincial and municipal health teams, with technical support from the WHO and UNICEF.

"WHO is on the ground, side by side with national authorities and partners, to ensure that every dose reaches those who need it most. This is a race against time - and together, we are committed to saving lives," said Dr. Indrajit Hazarika, WHO Representative in Angola.