Uganda Surpasses Measles Vaccination Target Amidst Recurring Outbreaks

Uganda’s Ministry of Health has announced that the recent National Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign surpassed its goal, vaccinating 8,285,835 children under five years old. This figure exceeds the initial target of 7,616,746 by a significant margin of 669,089.

The campaign, which ran from October 1 to 5, aimed to provide an additional dose of the measles-rubella vaccine to children aged 9-59 months. This measure was implemented to bolster immunity in light of ongoing measles outbreaks, even for those who had been previously vaccinated.

Ministry officials attributed the success to the tireless efforts of healthcare workers, Village Health Teams, district staff, and community mobilisers who worked diligently to reach children in remote areas. Gratitude was also extended to parents, caregivers, local leaders, educational institutions, religious and cultural bodies, development partners, and the media for their crucial support.

Despite the campaign’s success, health authorities acknowledged isolated instances of resistance in some regions, such as Wakiso, an area noted for having a high number of unvaccinated children. The campaign was a direct response to the concerning measles situation, with outbreaks reported in 66 districts throughout 2025, some experiencing recurrent cases.

Dr. Rita Atungonza, Deputy Manager of the Immunisation Programme, highlighted that suboptimal vaccination coverage is the primary driver of these outbreaks. She emphasized that maintaining vaccination coverage below the recommended 95 percent for both doses leaves the under-five population vulnerable, thus perpetuating the cycle of measles epidemics and associated child mortality and healthcare costs.

The Ministry urges parents and caregivers to adhere to routine immunisation schedules and to seek guidance at the nearest health facility for any children who missed the recent campaign.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)