Uganda on Thursday began a five-day nationwide free measles vaccination campaign targeting children aged nine months to five years.

In a statement released ahead of the campaign, Minister of Health, Chris Baryomunsi, said the exercise was designed to reach eligible children, irrespective of whether they had previously received a measles vaccination.

“The objective of this campaign is to close the existing immunity gaps. Our longer term priority is to strengthen routine immunisation so that children receive their vaccines at the right time and sustain the level of population immunity required to prevent future outbreaks,” Mr Baryomunsi said.

Since January, measles outbreaks have been confirmed in 20 districts, with 12 deaths recorded.

The statement said 66 districts reported confirmed measles outbreaks in 2025, resulting in more than 10,163 cases and 60 deaths.

It said investigations by technical teams identified several factors responsible for the outbreaks, including gaps in immunisation coverage caused by children missing vaccinations or receiving only one of the two recommended doses.

Other contributing factors included difficulties in reaching some remote communities, vaccine misinformation and hesitancy, as well as weaknesses in disease surveillance.

Mr Baryomunsi urged political, religious and cultural leaders to mobilise parents, caregivers and communities to ensure that every eligible child was vaccinated during the campaign.

According to the Ministry of Health, measles vaccination coverage in Uganda increased from 79 per cent in 2016 to 90 per cent in 2024.

The ministry, however, said the coverage remained below the 95 per cent level required to interrupt transmission and prevent outbreaks. 

(Xinhua/NAN)