The Ministry of Health has announced that Uganda exceeded its target in the five-day National Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign, reaching more than 8.2 million children.
According to a statement issued on October 7 by the Director General of Health Services, Prof Charles Olaro, the campaign, conducted from October 1 to 5, targeted children aged nine to 59 months across the country.
The ministry vaccinated 8,285,835 children against a national target of 7,616,746, representing 108.8 per cent coverage.
This means 669,089 more children were reached than initially planned.
The campaign provided an additional dose of the measles-rubella vaccine to all eligible children, including those who had previously been vaccinated, as part of efforts to strengthen immunity amid ongoing outbreaks.
Prof Olaro commended health workers, Village Health Teams, district teams and community mobilisers for their role in the exercise, saying many travelled long distances and navigated difficult terrain to reach children in remote communities.
“Their dedication helped ensure that location was no barrier to reaching children,” Prof Olaro said.
The ministry also thanked parents and caregivers for presenting their children for vaccination, as well as local leaders, schools, religious and cultural institutions, development and implementing partners and the media for supporting the campaign.
Although the mass vaccination campaign has ended, the ministry said routine immunisation will continue.
Parents and caregivers have been urged to adhere to their children’s routine immunisation schedules, while those whose children missed the campaign have been advised to contact the nearest health facility for guidance.
Kabale exceeds target
In Kabale District, health authorities vaccinated 54,198 children against a target of 48,083, representing 113 per cent coverage.
The campaign targeted children aged nine to 59 months and was aimed at closing immunity gaps and protecting children against measles and rubella.
According to the Kabale District Health Office performance report, the district exceeded its target by 6,115 children.
Kabale District Health Officer Dr Gilbert Arineitwe Mateeka attributed the performance to strong results recorded across the district’s sub-counties, town councils and divisions.
Fourteen of the 15 areas surpassed their individual targets.
Cue in Dr Mateeka…on Measles and Rubella…ENG//
Kibuga Sub-county emerged as the best-performing area, achieving 148 per cent coverage after vaccinating 2,032 children against a target of 1,371.
Maziba Sub-county followed with 128 per cent coverage, reaching 5,423 children against a target of 4,235, while Butanda Sub-county recorded 125 per cent after vaccinating 3,128 children against a target of 2,509.
Kamuganguzi Sub-county came fourth at 120 per cent, reaching 5,025 children against a target of 4,177.
Kyanamira and Buhara sub-counties each recorded 117 per cent coverage. Kyanamira vaccinated 4,786 children against a target of 4,080, while Buhara reached 6,120 against a target of 5,237.
Ryakarimira Town Council recorded 116 per cent after vaccinating 2,347 children against a target of 2,021, while Northern Division achieved 112 per cent after reaching 3,058 children against a target of 2,721.
Kitumba Sub-county recorded 107 per cent, vaccinating 4,721 children against a target of 4,424, while Kahunge Sub-county achieved 106 per cent after reaching 2,161 children against a target of 2,045.
Rubaya Sub-county recorded 105 per cent after vaccinating 1,611 children against a target of 1,534.
Central Division achieved 102 per cent, reaching 3,616 children against a target of 3,545.
Katuna Town Council and Southern Division each recorded 101 per cent coverage. Katuna vaccinated 1,818 children against a target of 1,795, while Southern Division reached 4,677 children against a target of 4,626.
Kaharo Sub-county was the only area that fell short of its target, recording 98 per cent coverage after vaccinating 3,675 children against a target of 3,763, leaving a shortfall of 88 children.
Overall, Kibuga recorded the highest percentage coverage in the district, while Buhara vaccinated the highest number of children at 6,120, followed by Maziba with 5,423 and Kamuganguzi with 5,025.
