KAMPALA — The Government is set to vaccinate more than 7.4 million children in a five-day nationwide measles-rubella campaign aimed at closing immunity gaps and preventing further outbreaks of the highly contagious disease.
The campaign will run from October 1 to 5, 2026, targeting children aged nine to 59 months, including those who may have previously received the measles-rubella vaccine.
According to the Ministry of Health, about 7.47 million of the estimated 7.86 million eligible children are expected to receive the vaccine, representing a target of at least 95 per cent coverage.
Health officials say the campaign follows a resurgence of measles in several parts of the country, with low uptake of the second vaccine dose identified as one of the major concerns.
Uganda’s routine measles vaccination coverage increased from 79 per cent in 2016 to 90 per cent in 2024, but remains below the 95 per cent level considered necessary to prevent outbreaks. The second measles-rubella dose recorded only 64 per cent coverage in 2025, compared with 92 per cent for the first dose.
The Ministry says vaccination during the campaign will be free of charge and available through health facilities, temporary and mobile vaccination posts, schools, outreach sites and other community locations.
Officials have urged parents and guardians to take eligible children for vaccination even if they have previously received a measles-rubella dose, describing the exercise as a catch-up and immunity-boosting campaign.
The urgency comes after 66 districts recorded confirmed measles outbreaks in 2025, with more than 10,000 cases and 60 deaths reported, according to Ministry of Health data cited by The Observer.
The campaign is being supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, as Uganda seeks to raise population immunity and reduce the risk of further measles outbreaks.
Daily MirrorUG
