Uganda vaccinates more than 8.2 million children against measles, rubella

What the report says

Uganda says it vaccinated 8,285,835 children against measles and rubella in a nationwide campaign held from October 1 to 5, 2026, according to Nile Post. The five-day effort was led by the Ministry of Health with support from health workers, community leaders and development partners, and it targeted children aged nine to 59 months across the country.

The campaign was designed to close immunisation gaps and reduce the risk of outbreaks of two highly contagious, vaccine-preventable diseases. Nile Post reported that the drive covered children even if they had already received a measles-rubella dose, as authorities sought to strengthen protection after repeated outbreaks and gaps in routine coverage.

The article said Uganda has faced recurring measles outbreaks, including 66 separate outbreaks in 2025, according to the World Health Organization. It also noted that Uganda introduced the combined measles-rubella vaccine into routine immunisation in 2019 and added a second dose in 2022, but that millions of children missed that second dose during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health officials said the campaign is part of broader efforts to protect children and prevent the return of measles and rubella. The ministry also stressed that routine immunisation continues after the campaign, urging parents and caregivers to keep bringing children to health facilities for scheduled vaccines.