Ministry of health launches five-day Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign

3 October 2026, 12:19 pm

By Byamukama Alozious

The Ministry of Health has launched a five-day national measles-rubella mass immunisation campaign targeting 7.5 million children aged between nine months and five years across Uganda.

The campaign, running from October 1 to 5, 2026, was officially launched at Wakiso Health Centre IV, with Minister of Health Dr. Chris Baryomunsi officiating the national launch alongside Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine, development partners and other stakeholders.

The campaign is being conducted under the theme, “Uganda United for a Measles-Rubella Mass Immunization  Protecting Every Child for a Healthier Uganda.”

Wakiso District, which hosted the national launch, is targeting more than 570,000 children aged between nine and 59 months during the campaign.

The Ministry of Health says measles is a highly infectious viral disease that spreads from person to person through airborne droplets or direct contact with nasal and throat secretions from an infected person. Children below five years are particularly vulnerable to the disease.

Common signs and symptoms include fever, a generalised skin rash lasting at least three days, red eyes, red lips and mouth sores, coughing and a runny nose.

The Ministry warns that measles can cause serious complications, especially among children who are not immunised. These include pneumonia, severe malnutrition and weight loss, eye damage that can lead to blindness, ear infections that may result in deafness, convulsions that can cause brain damage, persistent diarrhoea and mouth ulcers.

In severe cases, measles can lead to death, particularly when complications are not properly managed.

The Ministry is urging parents and caregivers to ensure that all eligible children receive the measles-rubella vaccine during the campaign.

Routine measles vaccination is provided at nine and 18 months, and the Ministry advises that children under five years should receive two doses of the measles-rubella vaccine.

The Ministry describes the vaccine as safe, effective and free, and says it is approved by the National Drug Authority.

The campaign is also calling for the involvement of political, religious and cultural leaders, civil society organisations, service clubs, development partners, professional bodies and the media.

Political, religious and cultural leaders are expected to mobilise communities and sensitise the public about the importance of immunisation. Civil society organisations will support community awareness, advocate for resources and monitor immunisation services.

The Ministry has also called on the media to provide accurate information about immunisation, monitor and report on vaccination services and mobilise communities to participate in the campaign.

The five-day campaign is intended to complement routine immunisation and reach children who may have missed or not received adequate protection through routine vaccination services.