Following increased demand for the Measles-Rubella and Polio vaccine and the high turn up of clients, the Ministry of Health is extending the ongoing National Measles- Rubella and Polio immunization campaign for one day (Monday 215t October 2019) in the entire country.
However, for the following areas; Kampala Capital City Authority, Wakiso and Mukono Districts and Karamoja sub-region, the extension will be for two days; Monday 21st October and Tuesday 22nd October, 2019.
A number of schools in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono were not reached during this campaign and this has prompted the Ministry of Health to extend the immunization campaign. This exercise will focus on; schools that missed out, schools which were on midterm holidays and those that were overwhelmed by the turn-up of children for immunization.
In regards to Karamoja sub-region, heavy rains and floods disrupted the activity.
To address challenges of stock outs of vaccines due to the high turn up, the UPDF today, Sunday 215t October, 2019 airlifted additional vaccines from the National Medical Stores (NMS) to ensure that districts which experienced stock outs are able to carry on with this immunization exercise during the one-day extension period.
Ministry of Health appeals to District Health Officers (DH0s) and central supervisors to intensify supportive supervision on use of vaccines, diluents and related supplies for proper accountability.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to take all children below 15 years for immunization against Measles and Rubella. Children aged 0-8 months will only receive Oral Polio Vaccine. However, they will catch up with their Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine when they turn 9-months.
Children aged 9 months to 5 years will receive the Oral Polio Vaccine and the Measles-Rubella vaccine while children aged 5-years to 14 years and 11 months will only receive the MR vaccine. The Ministry of Health would like to reiterate that the vaccines are SAFE, FREE and EFFECTIVE.
The Ministry again urged the general public to disregard unverified information circulating on social media and always consult with the Ministry’s Public Relations office, or verified social media channels and toll-free line 0800-100-066.
