Uganda vaccinates 8.2 million children in measles-rubella campaign

Uganda has completed a nationwide five-day mass immunization campaign, vaccinating 8,285,835 children against measles and rubella. Running from October 1 to October 5, 2026, the initiative targeted children aged nine to 59 months to close immunity gaps caused by missed routine services during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The campaign was conducted by the Ministry of Health with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Uganda Red Cross Society. In regions such as Kanungu District, the exercise was launched at local schools and supported by district authorities to ensure all eligible children, regardless of prior vaccination status, received the free service.

Health authorities noted the urgency of the drive following 66 separate measles outbreaks recorded in Uganda in 2025. While Uganda maintains a strong immunization program, WHO estimates that approximately three million children missed their second dose during the pandemic, making this campaign vital to reaching the 95 per cent coverage required to prevent sustained transmission.