Uganda vaccinates over 8.2mln children against measles, rubella
The exercise was aimed at closing immunity gaps and strengthening protection against the two highly infectious and vaccine-preventable diseases, amid recurring measles outbreaks and gaps in routine immunisation coverage
KAMPALA, October 6, 2026 — Uganda has vaccinated 8,285,835 children against measles and rubella during a nationwide five-day campaign that ended on October 5, 2026.
The campaign, led by the Ministry of Health with support from health workers, community leaders and development partners, targeted children aged nine to 59 months, regardless of whether they had previously received the measles-rubella vaccine.
The exercise was aimed at closing immunity gaps and strengthening protection against the two highly infectious and vaccine-preventable diseases, amid recurring measles outbreaks and gaps in routine immunisation coverage.
The Ministry of Health commended parents and caregivers for presenting their children for vaccination, as well as health workers, community leaders and development partners for supporting the exercise.
According to the World Health Organisation [WHO], Uganda recorded 66 separate measles outbreaks in 2025, with children who had not received measles vaccination particularly affected.
WHO says Uganda has one of the stronger-performing immunisation programmes in the African region, protecting children against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. However, gaps remain in achieving and sustaining the recommended coverage for measles-rubella vaccination.
Uganda introduced the combined measles-rubella vaccine into its routine immunisation programme in 2019 and added a second dose in 2022. However, WHO estimates that about three million children missed their second measles-rubella dose during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, contributing to immunity gaps.
Measles is one of the world’s most contagious viral diseases and can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation and death, particularly among unvaccinated or inadequately protected children.
Rubella is generally a mild infection in children, but infection during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or congenital rubella syndrome, which can cause serious birth defects.
The Ministry of Health has emphasised that the end of the five-day campaign does not mean an end to vaccination services.
“Routine immunisation continues,” the Ministry said, urging parents and caregivers to take their children to the nearest health facility to receive any vaccines they are due for.
Health authorities are also encouraging communities to remain engaged with routine immunisation services to ensure children receive all the recommended vaccine doses beyond the campaign period.
Government and its partners have stressed that maintaining high routine vaccination coverage is essential to preventing the re-emergence and spread of measles and rubella after mass vaccination campaigns end.
https://thecooperator.news/govt-announces-nationwide-vaccination-drive-as-measles-cases-surge/
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