Hundreds turn up for free yellow fever jab

Photos by Lawrence Kitatta

For a fifth day, hundreds continue to flock to Mandela National stadium at Namboole in Wakiso for free yellow fever vaccines administered by National medical stores (NMS).

The vaccination exercise which started on November 28 is aimed at helping over 50,000 Ugandans who may not afford to pay sh100, 000 at Kampala Capital City Authority and other private health facilities.

 

Yellow fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease caused by a virus transmitted to humans via an aedes mosquito bite or to humans from primate reservoir via a forest mosquito species. People who become ill usually present with acute onset of fever with at least abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache, jaundice, unexplained bleeding.

Late last year, the Ministry of health reported an outbreak of yellow fever in Masaka, Bukomansimbi Rukungiri among other districts.

Health experts say vaccination is considered to be the most important and effective measure against yellow fever. Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for people who are traveling to or living in areas at risk for yellow fever virus transmission.