Pader town council vaccinates 759 children on first day of measles-rubella campaign

2 October 2026, 3:11 pm

By Geoffrey Okwong

Health workers in Pader Town Council vaccinated 759 children on the first day of the ongoing measles-rubella immunisation campaign, surpassing the initial target of 200 children.

The campaign, which started on Thursday, October 1, is targeting children aged between nine months and five years, with health teams beginning the exercise in schools before moving to communities and outreach points.

Eric Donaldson Lagen, the Health Inspector at Pader Health Centre III and also the center supervisor for the town council in the campaign said the teams reached eight schools within Pader Town Council on the first day and vaccinated 759 children.

The schools reached included Jireh Foundation Nursery and Primary School, Wisdom Gate, Mount Zion Nursery and Primary School, Holy Angel, Three Angels Nursery School, Holy Mercy Nursery and Primary School, Ridge Christian Nursery School and Montessori Nursery and Primary School.

Lagen said the turnout was encouraging because the number of children vaccinated was well above the initial target.

He said the vaccination teams did not encounter resistance from the schools, adding that teachers were supportive and helped health workers organise the children for immunisation.

The exercise continued on Friday, with health workers moving to other schools in the town council, including the Alliance schools, Modern Family, Holy Family, Goodwill and Christ Church.

Christine Limio, Principal Nursing Officer at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and the centre supervisor for the campaign in Pader District, also described the first day as generally successful.

Limio said the schools and teachers she encountered were cooperative and helped guide children through the vaccination process.

She said some children were initially afraid of the injections but generally cooperated with the health workers.

According to Limio, the turnout in some of the schools was higher than anticipated, forcing health workers to return for additional vaccines.

She said the experience demonstrated the importance of adequate preparation as the campaign progresses to other areas.

While the response in schools was largely positive, Limio said health workers encountered at least one parent in the community who initially refused to have a child immunised.

She said the parent later accepted after health workers explained the dangers and complications associated with measles.

Limio appealed to parents who may still be hesitant to take advantage of the campaign and follow guidance from health workers.

She said immunisation was an important preventive measure against measles and rubella and urged parents not to prevent their children from accessing the service.

Lagen also urged parents to ensure that their eligible children are vaccinated, saying some children are currently receiving treatment for measles.

He warned that measles can result in serious complications, including blindness, particularly when complications are not properly managed.

“This is a very big opportunity for them to take their children to get immunised so that we prevent this deadly disease,” Lagen said.

Lagen on the parents 

As the school-based exercise progresses, Lagen said health teams will also move into communities to reach children who are not attending school.

He urged parents not to miss the opportunity on Saturday, saying health workers will be stationed at designated outreach posts across Pader Town Council.

Among the identified outreach points are Lacinga, the Mayor’s Garden and Olokilee, where eligible children can be taken for vaccination.

Lagen said village health teams will also help identify children in the communities, particularly those aged between nine months and five years who are not currently attending school.

Limio further urged parents to keep the blue immunisation cards issued to vaccinated children.

She said the Ministry of Health is expected to conduct household visits after the campaign to verify whether eligible children have received the vaccine.

According to Limio, the blue card will serve as an indication that a child has been immunised, making it important for parents to keep the cards safely.

The health officials appealed to parents and community members to share information about the campaign with families who may not yet have received the message and ensure that eligible children are reached before the exercise ends.