Summary:
- Dr. Gilbert Arineitwe Mateeka, the Kabale District Health Officer, stated that the campaign aims to reach 90% of “zero-dose” children under five years by the end of this month.
KABALE: Kabale and Kisoro Districts have officially launched the “Big Catch-Up” immunization campaign, targeting children who missed their routine vaccinations.
Dr. Gilbert Arineitwe Mateeka, the Kabale District Health Officer, stated that the campaign aims to reach 90% of “zero-dose” children under five years by the end of this month. He noted that children aged 9 to 59 months will receive Measles and Rubella vaccines, while girls aged 10 will be administered the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
The campaign will also focus on vaccinating non-pregnant women of reproductive age (15-49 years) with the Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccine. Additionally, praziquantel tablets will be provided to children aged 5-14 years in 78 schistosomiasis-endemic districts.
Kabale District Health Educator Alfred Besigensi said the campaign would intensify over the next six days, with health workers visiting outreach centers to administer vaccines.
The Kabale District Assistant Health Officer in charge of Maternal and Child Health, Paddy Mwesigye, highlighted that the campaign’s launch, held at Makanga Primary School in Kabale Municipality, was supported by the Rotary Club of Kabale.
He urged parents and the general public to support and participate in the initiative.
In a related development, Kisoro District has also launched its “Big Catch-Up” immunization campaign at Read Primary School in Northern Division, Kisoro Municipality. Assistant District Health Officer Annet Dusabe noted that the six-day exercise targets children aged 0 to 15 years.
