KAMPALA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Thursday launched a five-day nationwide free measles vaccination campaign targeting all children aged nine months to five years.
In a statement issued ahead of the campaign, Minister of Health Chris Baryomunsi said the exercise aims to reach all eligible children, regardless of whether they have previously received a measles vaccine.
"The objective of this campaign is to close the existing immunity gaps. Our longer-term priority is to strengthen routine immunization so that children receive their vaccines at the right time and sustain the level of population immunity required to prevent future outbreaks," Baryomunsi said.
Since January, measles outbreaks have been confirmed in 20 districts, resulting in 12 deaths.
In 2025, confirmed measles outbreaks were reported in 66 districts, with more than 10,163 cases and 60 deaths, according to the statement.
Investigations by technical teams found that the outbreaks were being driven by a combination of factors, including gaps in immunization coverage caused by children missing vaccinations altogether or receiving only one of the two recommended doses.
Other factors include difficulties in reaching some remote populations, vaccine misinformation and hesitancy, as well as weaknesses in disease surveillance, the statement said.
Baryomunsi urged political, religious and cultural leaders to mobilize parents, caregivers and communities to ensure that every eligible child is reached during the campaign.
According to the Ministry of Health, Uganda's measles vaccination coverage has improved from 79 percent in 2016 to 90 percent in 2024, but remains below the 95 percent level required to interrupt transmission and prevent outbreaks. ■
