Health 4 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign Reaches Over 5.5 Million Children
Uganda's five-day Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign has successfully administered jabs to over 5.5 million children under five years old, as the Ministry of Health urges parents to reach the 7.6 million target by the campaign's close. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/measles-rubella-vaccination-5-5m-children-jabbed-5619570
Uganda has made significant strides in its Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination drive, with over 5.5 million children under the age of five receiving the jab. The campaign, which aims to vaccinate 7.6 million eligible children, is in its final push to meet its ambitious target.
The five-day initiative targets children aged between 9 and 59 months, irrespective of their previous vaccination history. This mass vaccination effort comes in response to persistent outbreaks of measles and rubella across numerous districts.
According to the Ministry of Health, 72 percent of the target population has been vaccinated. “By this morning we had vaccinated 5.5 million out of the target of 7.6 million children, representing 72 percent. We have today (Sunday) and tomorrow (Monday) left,” stated Dr. Michael Baganizi, the Immunisation Programme Manager.
Officials have emphasized the urgency for parents to bring unvaccinated children for immunization, with teams stationed at health facilities and community outposts nationwide. “Our call is to the parents whose children haven’t yet been vaccinated, to utilise these 2 days to bring them for vaccination,” Dr. Baganizi urged.
The campaign’s focus on this age group and its mass approach are crucial due to recurring measles outbreaks. Dr. Rita Atungonza, Deputy Manager of the Immunisation Programme, noted that the country registered outbreaks in 66 districts in 2025 alone. “This is because of sub-optimal vaccination coverage,” she explained, highlighting the need to close these immunisation gaps.
While first-dose coverage for MR vaccine was at 92 percent in 2025, second-dose coverage lagged at 64 percent. “As long as we remain below 95 percent coverage (for both doses), we expect measles outbreaks to keep occurring,” Dr. Atungonza warned, stressing the vulnerability of children under five.
Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, implored parents and guardians to embrace the vaccination to protect children from sickness and death, urging them to utilize the available vaccination points. “If we immunise all the children in that age group in these five days, then we shall be able to suppress measles and prevent the death of our children,” he concluded.