Govt warns against sabotage ahead of measles vaccination
Uganda is launching a five-day nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign for children aged nine months to five years. Health officials are actively working to combat misinformation and reach children who missed routine immunizations to prevent further outbreaks.
Why it matters
Proactive vaccination campaigns are critical for maintaining herd immunity and preventing the resurgence of preventable communicable diseases in developing regions.
Uganda will on Thursday begin a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign targeting all children aged nine months to five years, with health officials warning communities against misinformation and attempts to undermine the exercise.
The five-day campaign, running from October 1 to 5, will cover all eligible children regardless of their previous vaccination status as the Ministry of Health seeks to close immunity gaps and prevent further measles outbreaks.
The campaign follows a resurgence of measles in several parts of the country, including Lango Sub-region in northern Uganda.
The Ministry said vaccination teams will use a parish-based, village-to-village mobile strategy, while Village Health Teams (VHTs) will mobilise households and help identify children who need vaccination.
Dr Charles Akiya Oyoo, the Ministry of Health Commissioner for Non-Communicable Diseases, said the campaign is part of a broader strategy to address communicable and non-communicable diseases while preventing future epidemics.
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