Global Celebrations at 50 years Milestone of Immunization - Uganda Rolls out Campaign to Vaccinate 1.5m Children in one Month

While the world commemorates the 50 years of immunization since inception, with the 13 vaccines currently available to protect against 11 diseases, Uganda alone shall be celebrating 43 years of immunization against the same on 18th this month in Mukono at Katosi Health Centre 3.

To underpin the global celebrations, Uganda with support from partners has rolled out a campaign, targeting 1.5m children to get vaccinated against measles in a period of one month, called the "Big Catch Up."

Starting 14th November, the "Big Catch up" through all the health facilities, will reach out to all under 5 children and provide them with any vaccinations missed over the past 3-4 years especially Measles Vaccinations, focusing on helping to stop the measles outbreaks which are currently being seen in the country.

Other services shall include the HPV vaccination for 10-year-old girls to prevent cancer of the cervix when they grow up, the Tetanus Vaccine to women 15-49 years, the nutrition supplements including Vitamin A and deworming and Preventive treatment of Bilharzia in the affected districts.

According to registered cases from Mulago referral hospital, Pediatric department children's ward, by Dr. Hellen Aanya , Senior Consultant and the Head of Pediatric, Wednesday, "there was an insurgency in the measles epidemic from the month of July to October 2024. " The most number of children admitted are due to pneumonia, malaria and also the sickle cell disease but for now there is a challenge of traffic in patients relating to beyond 200 in a day yet the emergency units currently is admitting 40 to 60 still in a day, implying that there is a gap in staffing, she said.

Dr. Kitaka Sabrina Consultant Pediatrician at Makerere University also working with Mulago referral hospital, notes that potential causes for the high measles incidence in the hospitals are due to low vaccination coverage, where children who are not vaccinated become infected with measles. This suggests that lack of vaccination in certain communities is a major contributing factor to the high number of measles cases.

The timing of vaccination also matters, because the affected children are under 9 months old, which is the age when they typically receive their first measles vaccine. The high number of cases in this age group indicates that passive immunity from the mother may not be providing sufficient protection, she added.

The rapid spread of the disease with the number of measles cases increasing quickly by going from 7 patients per day to 10 patients per day, and reaching over 300 children in total per month. This rapid spread of the disease within the hospital setting likely contributed to the high incidence. The Severity of cases where there are serious complications associated with the measles cases, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and weakened immunity leading to other infections. The severity of the cases may also overwhelm the hospital's capacity to manage the outbreak, Dr. Kitaka described.

She, however, warned that with the unvaccinated children becoming a significant burden on the system, there may be difficulties in managing the influx of patients, especially in units not accustomed to dealing with high-dependency cases. And there is a need for better vaccination programs to prevent future outbreaks and reduce the strain on healthcare resources as the government addresses the root causes of unvaccinated children to prevent similar situations in the future.

The Programs manager, Uganda National expanded Program on Immunization (UNEPI)), with the Ministry of Health, Dr. Baganizi Michal, indicated that Uganda can leverage the 50-year milestone of the vaccination program to raise awareness and increase participation, through organizing public events and celebrations,for example hosting community events, rallies, or festivals to commemorate the 50-year milestone. This will help bring attention to the program and its importance.

Engaging the local leaders and influencers, by working with local government officials, community leaders, religious leaders, and other influential figures to promote the vaccination program and encourage participation. Utilizing media and digital platforms through developing a robust communication campaign across various media channels, including TV, radio, social media, and print and share success stories, despise myths, and emphasize the importance of vaccination, Baganizi explained.

Strengthening partnerships with healthcare providers, collaborating with healthcare facilities, clinics, and community health workers to ensure easy access to vaccination services and provide them with the necessary resources and training. Implementing targeted outreach programs: Identify and reach out to underserved or hard-to-reach communities, such as those in remote areas or low-income neighborhoods, to address barriers to vaccination and increase participation.

Baganizi, further mentioned about offering incentives and rewards, like considering providing incentives, such as vouchers, discounts, or small gifts, to encourage parents and caregivers to bring their children for vaccination. Leverage social and community networks through empowering and equipping community-based organizations, religious groups, and local associations to spread awareness and mobilize their members to participate in the vaccination program. Emphasize the long-term benefits, by highlighting the long-term health and economic benefits of vaccination, not just for individuals but for the entire community and nation.