Immunisation week focuses on Busoga

Apr 24, 2017

This year's theme is 'Vaccines protect everyone, get vaccinated'.

As Uganda joins the rest of the world to celebrate this year's vaccination week celebrated every 24-30 April, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has called on the public to fully engage in immunisation drives to reduce the burden of vaccine preventable diseases in the country.

This, according to Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health aims at building the desired stock of human resource capital required to propel Uganda into a middle income status.

This year's theme is 'Vaccines protect everyone, get vaccinated'.

In a statement released on Monday, Dr. Aceng said while Uganda has tremendously improved immunisation coverage, some surveys however indicate declining performance in some communities leading to disease outbreaks.

"Relatedly, measles outbreaks continue to occur especially in some districts that host refugees like Kamwenge and Hoima. Recently, a measles outbreak has been confirmed in almost all districts in Busoga region, pointing to a decline in routine immunisation coverage in this region," she said.

It is against this background that the Ministry decided to implement sustained community engagement activities in all districts of Busoga regions focusing on immunisation during the African vaccination week 2017.

The activities will revolve around school health clubs, village health teams, community, religious and cultural leaders and other relevant structures.

Vaccination is a proven health intervention with many social and economic benefits as documented by the World Health Organisation. Globally vaccines have not only reduced the burden of infectious diseases but have also eradicated some killer diseases like small pox.
They continue to protect nations against measles, meningitis, tuberculosis, tetanus.

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