Uganda: 16 Million Children Immunised Against Measles-Rubella, Polio

Health Ministry surpasses targets for Measles-Rubella immunisation campaign, extends it for more two weeks at major hospitals in Kampala

Ministry of Health has reported a 105.2% coverage in the just concluded Measles and Rubella immunisation national campaign and an 86.32% for polio immunisation.

According to the ministry, over 8,770,706 children have been vaccinated against Measles and Rubella while 7,329,635 million (86.2%) children were immunised against Polio.

While speaking to journalists at a presser held on Thursday to give an update on the campaign, Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said despite the successful campaign,  the ministry had decided to continue the campaign in some hospitals like Kawempe  Hospital, Child Health in Mulago National Referral Hospital and KCCA clinic for another two weeks.

 “All guardians and parents whose children have not been immunised are encouraged to visit the stated hospitals and have their children immunised. Schools that also missed out on immunisation should contact the District Health Officer to organise immunisation for their children at these hospitals within two weeks,” said Dr Aceng.

She also recognized and appreciated the government of Uganda, GAVI, the World Health Organisation (WHO), CHAI, UNICEF, Lions Club, Uganda Medical Association (UMA) and Uganda Pediatric Association (UPA) and technical, Political administrative, civic leaders, health workers, teachers and educationists at national and district level for the solidarity and support they offered in the campaign which made it successful. 

The Ministry of health had planned to carry out the  the mass immunisation campaign from October 16 to October 20 2019 but was forced to extend it to October 22 due to the high turn up and demand for the Measles-Rubella vaccines and the heavy rains that disrupted the exercise in some parts of Uganda.

The Campaign was aimed at countering the continued outbreaks of Measles and Rubella diseases in some parts of the country in the last six months.

According to the minister, the Rubbella vaccine will be integrated within the routine national immunisation vaccines with in two years to continue protecting new born babies against the killer disease

She emphasized: “The vaccines have been proved to be safe and effective and will protect your children against killer diseases. They are free and provided by the government of Uganda, please endeavor to make sure that your child is immunised always.”