Measles: Govt targets 7.4 million children in 5-day vaccination campaign

What the report says

Uganda’s government plans a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign from October 1 to 5, 2026, aiming to reach at least 95% of an estimated 7.86 million eligible children, or about 7.47 million. The Ministry of Health said the drive will cover children aged nine to 59 months, including those in refugee communities, and will be offered free of charge through health facilities, outreach points, schools and mobile teams.

According to The Observer, the campaign is meant to close immunity gaps and respond to a renewed spread of measles in the country. Officials said routine coverage of the second measles-rubella dose has lagged behind the first dose, leaving many children vulnerable. The ministry cited recent outbreak data showing cases and deaths across multiple districts in 2025 and into early 2026, with low vaccine uptake, hard-to-reach populations, hesitancy and delayed care among the main drivers.

The report said the campaign is being supported by Gavi, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, with total funding of about Shs 20 billion. Health officials and WHO representatives urged parents to bring children even if they previously received an MR dose, describing the campaign as a booster effort to strengthen immunity. The article also noted wider concerns about Uganda’s reliance on donor support for immunisation financing as vaccine costs rise.