Over 4,000 vaccinated against hepatitis B in Dokolo

PIC: Residents lined up at Atabu health unit in Dokolo to be vaccinated aganinst hepatitis B. (Credit: Patrick Okino)

More than 4,000 residents of Dokolo district underwent free vaccination against hepatitis B, a viral disease infecting the communities in northern and eastern Uganda mostly.

The government injected sh11b for massive vaccination against the disease caused by virus and the most affected areas. According to the ministry of health, the rate of spreading - at 30% - in northern Uganda is too high.

Paul Okello, a resident, said people will be protected against the virus because they are rolling for a second dose after the first dose ended two months ago.

The disease, which infects the liver, is caused by a virus found in blood and body fluids.

HBV infection can be prevented with vaccination, and then chronic infection can be successfully treated with antiviral medication.

"The number of people coming for this free vaccination is overwhelming because of serious awareness about the danger of the diseases," said Okello.

A team from the health ministry was on Wednesday conducting vaccination at Atabu health unit in Dokolo.

The government selected 12 districts for hepatitis B vaccination and treatment. They are Adjumani, Tororo, Dokolo, Moroto, Ngora, Moyo, Napak, Kumi, Gulu, Lira, Koboko and Arua.

Dokolo Woman MP Ogwal said people are losing their loved ones and the rate of infection among youth is alarming.

"People are dying at a serious rate not knowing it was hepatitis," she said.