Uganda Launches Five-Day Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign for Children
Uganda has initiated a five-day national vaccination campaign for children aged nine months to five years to combat a measles-rubella outbreak. The Ministry of Health is encouraging parents to utilize free vaccination services to close immunity gaps.
Why it matters
Addresses a critical public health challenge in Uganda to prevent child mortality and curb the spread of infectious diseases.
Uganda has launched a five-day measles-rubella vaccination campaign targeting children aged nine months to five years, following reports of measles cases and deaths in different parts of the country.
The campaign runs from October 1 to October 5, with the Ministry of Health calling on parents and guardians to take eligible children to health centres and vaccination outposts established within communities.
According to the Ministry, Uganda routinely vaccinates children against 14 diseases, but gaps have been identified in the uptake of the second dose of the measles vaccine.
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The Health Ministry says children receive the first measles vaccine dose at nine months, followed by a second dose at 18 months. However, while many children receive the first dose, fewer return for the second.
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