Measles campaign surpasses target with 8.2 million children vaccinated
A total of 8,285,835 children aged 9–59 months had received the measles-rubella vaccine by the end of the campaign, exceeding the national target of 7,607,692 children, according to figures from the Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunisation (UNEPI).
Among the regions reporting strong performance were Acholi, Bukedi, Kampala and Busoga, while Wakiso, Bugisu, Karamoja, North Central and South Central were among the areas still below the desired coverage by day four.
KAMPALA - More than 8.2 million Ugandan children have been vaccinated against measles and rubella in a nationwide mass immunisation campaign that ended on October 5.
A total of 8,285,835 children aged 9–59 months had received the measles-rubella vaccine by the end of the campaign, exceeding the national target of 7,607,692 children, according to figures from the Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunisation (UNEPI).
The campaign, launched on October 1, 2026, used fixed health facilities, temporary vaccination posts, mobile teams and schools to reach children across the country. However, the national figure masks gaps in some areas, with health teams preparing targeted mop-up activities in districts and communities where coverage remains below the campaign target.
Among the regions reporting strong performance were Acholi, Bukedi, Kampala and Busoga, while Wakiso, Bugisu, Karamoja, North Central and South Central were among the areas still below the desired coverage by day four.
Rita Atugonza, deputy manager at UNEPI, said teams would continue looking for children who had been missed during the main campaign days.
“For districts that have not hit their targets, they'll continue mop-up efforts in the course of the month. This is a month of Integrated Child Health Days, so we will look for all those that have not been vaccinated, but also our health centres will continue carrying out the vaccination,” Atugonza said.
“There will be outreaches in communities but also services in static sites so there are still opportunities for children who may not have received the vaccine to go to,” she said.
The campaign targeted children across three age groups, with the largest group comprising those aged 24–59 months.
Of the 813,389 children aged 9–11 months targeted, 579,351 had been vaccinated by day four, representing 71.1% coverage.
Among the 1,818,184 children aged 12–23 months, 99.7% had received the vaccine, while 98.6% of children aged 24–59 months had been vaccinated.
The lower coverage among children aged 9–11 months is one of the areas health teams will need to address as they intensify efforts to reach those still unvaccinated.
Atugonza also pointed to vaccine misinformation and hesitancy as another challenge.
She said the immunisation programme was working with the Ministry of Education, the Uganda Paediatric Association, civil society organisations and religious leaders to counter false information about vaccines.
She said the campaign would therefore continue beyond simply providing vaccines, with health authorities seeking to ensure parents and communities receive accurate information about their safety and effectiveness.
The Ministry of Health used village health workers across all villages countrywide to help achieve the target.
The campaign follows continued measles transmission in parts of Uganda. While launching the campaign on October 1, health minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi warned that children had continued to fall sick and die from the disease.
“Fewer children get the second dose. Measles cases had been reported in different parts of the country in the previous year and this year, including deaths among children,” Baryomunsi said.
He urged parents and guardians to take children to health centres and community vaccination points. Baryomunsi also stressed that children should receive the campaign dose even if they had previously received measles vaccinations.
“Whether the child has received the previous two doses, it does not matter; just take the child for the vaccination,” he said.
Baryomunsi said reaching all eligible children would help suppress measles transmission and prevent deaths.