Ministry Of Health Suspends Measles, Rubella Vaccination Campaign

The ministry of health has announced that it has postponed the Measles-Rubella (MR) national vaccination campaign from the scheduled dates of 25-29, September 2019 to 16-20 October 2019.

They didn't give a reason for the postponement in the announcement posted on their social media pages.

The ministry received more than 20m doses of Measles-Rubella vaccine worth $19m.

The vaccines were procured by UNICEF with support from GAVI to protect more than 18m children aged 9 months to 15 years.

In a press statement dated Thursday, 18 July 2019, UNICEF said they had received the last batch of the vaccines.

On the same date, Dr. Charles Olaro, the ministry of health’s Director of Clinical Services, received the vaccines at Entebbe International Airport. 

UNICEF said an increasing number of unvaccinated children in Uganda has led to measles outbreaks in several districts across the country.

"62 districts are currently experiencing a Measles outbreak while 25 have been affected by Rubella. 

"Globally, over 400 children die every day due to measles and about 280 babies are born every day with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

“By vaccinating every child in Uganda on time, we will avert the spread of these dangerous diseases and many preventable child deaths and birth defects,” UNICEF said.

The campaign is a partnership between UNICEF, Ministry of Health, WHO, Gavi and The Vaccine Alliance.

It aims to improve routine immunization coverage, eliminate measles outbreaks and prevent rubella.

The ministry said the mass vaccination exercise when in returns in October will target all children 9 months to under 15 years. “During this exercise, all children under 5 years will receive a booster dose of Oral Polio Vaccine,” the ministry said.