MEASLES OUTBREAK! Gov’t Targets Children Aged 9 Months–5 Years in Five
The Ugandan government is launching a five-day nationwide vaccination campaign against measles and rubella for children aged nine months to five years. The initiative aims to close immunity gaps that have led to persistent outbreaks over the last two years.
Why it matters
Public health interventions are critical in preventing the spread of highly contagious diseases and reducing child mortality in regions with low vaccination coverage.
The Government has launched a fresh offensive against measles and rubella, targeting millions of children in a five-day nationwide free vaccination campaign following continued outbreaks of the highly contagious diseases across Uganda.
The Ministry of Health will conduct the Measles-Rubella (MR) mass vaccination campaign from October 1 to 5, 2026, targeting all children aged nine months to five years.
Officials say the campaign is intended to close immunity gaps among children who either missed vaccination or did not complete the recommended two-dose measles-rubella schedule by 18 months.
Importantly, every child in the target age group will be eligible for a free MR vaccine, even if they have previously received measles-rubella vaccination.
The exercise will be conducted through designated health facilities, outreach points, schools, community vaccination sites and other centres identified by District Local Governments.
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