Health 30 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Launches Measles Vaccination Drive, Warns Against Sabotage
Uganda is set to commence a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign targeting children aged nine months to five years, amidst official warnings against misinformation and attempts to undermine the exercise. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-warns-against-sabotage-ahead-of-measles-vaccination-5615184
The Ministry of Health in Uganda is launching a crucial five-day measles-rubella vaccination campaign, scheduled to run from October 1 to 5. This initiative aims to immunize all children between nine months and five years old, regardless of their prior vaccination status, in an effort to curb a recent surge in measles cases. Health officials have expressed concern over the resurgence of the disease, noting 66 separate outbreaks across the country in 2025.
The campaign will employ a mobile, parish-based strategy, with Village Health Teams (VHTs) playing a vital role in mobilizing communities and identifying children eligible for vaccination. Dr. Charles Akiya Oyoo, Commissioner for Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, emphasized that while vaccination is effective, approximately 15% of individuals do not develop full immunity. This necessitates reaching children who may have missed routine immunizations to prevent immunity gaps from accumulating and leading to inevitable outbreaks.
Officials are urging leaders and the public to support the vaccination drive and have issued stern warnings against any attempts to sabotage government health programs through misinformation or deliberate obstruction. “This will not be entertained,” stated Dr. Akiya, highlighting that the campaign is a national effort. Local leaders, such as Amolatar Resident District Commissioner Francis Doki Rwotlonyo, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of community cooperation to protect children, especially in areas prone to various health threats.
Data from 2025 indicates significant immunization gaps, with a large percentage of measles cases occurring in unvaccinated children. The World Health Organization recommends a 95% vaccination coverage to achieve herd immunity, a target that Uganda has struggled to meet consistently. This upcoming campaign is therefore a critical step in strengthening the nation’s defense against measles.
This vaccination campaign aims to bridge existing immunization gaps and protect the youngest populations from the preventable disease. The Ministry of Health is working with development partners to ensure the campaign’s success and reach all eligible children.