Outbreaks
The continued measles outbreaks highlight persistent immunity gaps that continue to put children at risk thus the need to intensify our effort to curb ongoing outbreaks, Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, the WHO Country Representative,” said.
By Alexander Mackey Okori
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has called on Uganda’s Ministry of Health to step up a fight the ongoing measles outbreaks affecting several parts of the Country, particularly hard-to reach areas like the Karamoja Sub-region.
The call comes just a day after Karenga District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Andrew Ilukol reported that they are struggling to contain measles outbreak amid vaccine stock out.
According to Dr. Ilukol, measles outbreak in the district was confirmed by the Ministry of Health on March 2, 2026, following positive laboratory results from blood samples of five suspected cases.
As of Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the number of accumulative cases stood at 56 with one death recorded.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health indicate that in 2025 about 66 districts including Napak, and Moroto in Karamoja Sub-region, Kampala and Wakiso reported measles outbreaks.
According to the Ministry of Health, these outbreaks were driven by factors including low second dose measles-rubella (MR2) coverage, currently standing at about 61 percent, and barriers affecting last-minute vaccination distribution.
Speaking on Wednesday at the official launch of communication equipment procured through Gavi’s Equity Accelerator and Health Systems Strengthening Grant, Dr. Robin Nandy, UNICEF ‘s Country Representative in Uganda, emphasized the urgency of reaching unvaccinated children, commonly referred as “Zero dose” children.
UNICEF and World Health Organization, founding members of the Gavi Alliance are currently supporting Uganda’s progress under Gavi’s phase 3 commitments.
These include more than $9 million approximately Shs 32 billion in essential health system equipment already procured, including 642 motorcycles, 1,156 cold chain units, particularly in hard-to reach districts, and close existing immunity gaps.
Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, the WHO Country Representative, emphasized the economic and public health value of immunization, saying every $1 spent on vaccination yields $54 in return.
She warned that progress remains threatened by the high number of zero-dose children who have received no vaccine at all.
While the first-dose coverage stands at nearly 90 percent, the gap in full immunization have left communities vulnerable, with socio-economic and cultural factors further complicating vaccination efforts.
Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Acheng, commended development partners from supporting the immunization Programme and urged parents, caregivers, community leaders and local governments to support routine vaccination services.
She stressed that vaccines are safe, effective and provided free of charge at government health facilities and outreach points, while calling for continued support for health workers serving remote communities.
Due to the ongoing outbreaks, the Ministry of Health, has announced a massage vaccination campaign expected to take place in October, targeting all the children under five years of age.
Also Read:
https://radioetoil.com/karenga-district-runs-out-of-measles-vaccine-as-cases-surge/
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