Tayari News
The Government has intensified the rollout of routine and newly introduced vaccines across districts following confirmed outbreaks of measles in several parts of the country.
Health officials say the renewed push is being implemented through Integrated Child Health Days and expanded community outreach campaigns, to close immunisation gaps and boost coverage among vulnerable populations.
Joanita Nalwanga, a national supervisor with the Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunisation (UNEPI), said the Ministry of Health is strengthening coordination at the district level to ensure effective delivery and monitoring of vaccines. This includes district coordination meetings, resource mapping, and enhanced supervision to support both implementation and evaluation.
The current rollout covers key vaccines, including the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls aged 10, the hepatitis B birth dose, and the measles vaccine. Nalwanga noted that districts are also being equipped with tools for self-assessment to improve service delivery and accountability.
The intensified vaccination drive comes amid a confirmed measles outbreak in Agago District and other areas. In response, authorities have activated emergency measures, including mass immunisation of all children aged between nine months and 59 months, regardless of their previous vaccination status.
Health officials are targeting at least 95 per cent coverage among eligible children, in line with global thresholds required to interrupt measles transmission. Emergency procurement of measles-rubella vaccines has already been initiated to support the campaign.
Nalwanga emphasised the urgency of district-led responses, noting that local health systems are critical in outbreak control. “When an outbreak is declared, the response must be immediate. District health teams and facility in-charges are the first line of action and should not wait,” she said.
The vaccination campaign is being implemented under the broader Child and Adolescent Survival and Transformation (CAST Plus) programme, which integrates immunisation with other essential health services.
Through this approach, outreach teams will also screen communities for tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, hepatitis, and non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, while ensuring those diagnosed are linked to care.
Programme targets include increasing tuberculosis case detection by 15 per cent, initiating treatment for at least 95 per cent of diagnosed patients, and ensuring that over 95 per cent of TB patients are tested for HIV. Additionally, health workers aim to test and treat at least 85 per cent of malaria cases presenting with fever during outreach activities.
In Agago District, authorities have already activated surveillance and response mechanisms following confirmation of measles cases. District Health Officer Dr Kimton Okello urged parents and caregivers to seek immediate medical attention for children showing symptoms such as fever, skin rash, red eyes, cough, and a runny nose.
The district is now preparing for a mass vaccination exercise, with outreach teams expected to move into communities in the coming days. Officials say the intervention is critical not only for containing the current outbreak but also for strengthening routine immunisation coverage and preventing future resurgences.
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