Measles-Rubella Immunisation Campaign Extended

Uganda’s Health Ministry has extended the national Measles –Rubella and polio immunization campaign for one day.

The activity was planned to end on Sunday, October 20.

As of this past Saturday night, more than 8 million children had been immunised, according to partial results received by the Health Ministry from different parts of the country.

Health Minister Dr Ruth Aceng said the immunization had been extended to today Monday across Uganda to cater for increased demand for the vaccine and a high turn-up of children.

She, however, said for Kampala Capital City Authority, Wakiso and Mukono districts and Karamoja sub-region, the extension will be for two days (Monday and Tuesday this week).

Aceng said a number of schools in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono were not reached during the campaign prompting the extension of the immunization activities.

Resident District Commissioners, district chairpersons and Chief Administrative Officers across Uganda have since been informed that this new exercise will focus on schools which missed out or were on midterm holiday or were overwhelmed by the huge turn-up of children.

In Karamoja, heavy rains and floods disrupted the activity.

To address challenges of stock outs of vaccines due to the high turn up, UPDF on Sunday airlifted additional vaccines from National Medical Stores (NMS) to ensure districts which experienced shortages were able to carry on with the exercise during the extension period.

District Health Officers have been informed to “intensify supportive supervision on use of vaccines, diluents and related supplies for proper accountability.”

Minister Aceng urged parents and guardians to take all children below 15 years for immunization against measles and Rubella.

Children aged 0-8 months will only receive Oral Polio vaccine.

Aceng said the children will catch up with Measles-Rubella vaccine when they turn 9 months.

Children aged 9 months to five years receive the oral polio vaccine and Measles-Rubella vaccine while children aged five to 14 years and 11 months will only receive the Measles-Rubella vaccine.