MEASLES OUTBREAK! Gov’t Targets Children Aged 9 Months–5 Years in Five-Day Free Vaccination Drive
By Evans Najuna
The Government has launched a fresh offensive against measles and rubella, targeting millions of children in a five-day nationwide free vaccination campaign following continued outbreaks of the highly contagious diseases across Uganda.
The Ministry of Health will conduct the Measles-Rubella (MR) mass vaccination campaign from October 1 to 5, 2026, targeting all children aged nine months to five years.
Officials say the campaign is intended to close immunity gaps among children who either missed vaccination or did not complete the recommended two-dose measles-rubella schedule by 18 months.
Importantly, every child in the target age group will be eligible for a free MR vaccine, even if they have previously received measles-rubella vaccination.
The exercise will be conducted through designated health facilities, outreach points, schools, community vaccination sites and other centres identified by District Local Governments.
The Ministry says Uganda has continued to record measles outbreaks over the past two years, exposing persistent gaps in population immunity.
Measles is one of the world’s most contagious vaccine-preventable diseases and can cause serious complications and death, particularly among children who have not been vaccinated.
Rubella is equally contagious and presents an additional danger when contracted during pregnancy, potentially causing serious complications for unborn babies.
Health officials warn that unless immunity gaps are closed, unvaccinated and inadequately vaccinated children will continue to provide fertile ground for new outbreaks.
Parents, guardians and caregivers have therefore been urged not to miss the five-day window and to ensure that all eligible children receive the vaccine.
The Ministry is also calling on teachers, health workers, community and religious leaders and other members of the public to help mobilise families, counter misinformation and encourage parents to take eligible children for vaccination.
Officials have reassured the public that the vaccine administered during the campaign is free, safe and effective.
The campaign will run under the message: “Together, We Can Stop Measles and Rubella.”
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