Eronda
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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The Ministry of Health has raised concern over a rising number of measles cases across Uganda, warning that low vaccination coverage particularly for the second dose is driving new outbreaks among children under five.
The Director General of Health Services, Charles Olaro, said the country remains below the 95 percent immunisation threshold required to stop transmission, despite improvements in recent years.
National measles vaccination coverage rose to 90 percent in 2024, up from 79 percent in 2016.
However, uptake of the second measles-rubella (MR) dose at 18 months stands at just 64 percent, compared to 92 percent for the first dose leaving many children vulnerable.
According to the ministry, 66 districts reported outbreaks in 2025, with over 10,163 cases and 60 deaths recorded. The Karamoja sub-region accounted for 31 percent of the fatalities.
Between January and April 2026, 20 districts including Mubende, Gulu, and Adjumani have confirmed outbreaks, with 12 deaths reported.
Investigations show that 75 percent of cases are among children under five, while 64 percent of those infected had never received any measles-rubella vaccine.
“The current outbreaks are driven by low population immunity, vaccine hesitancy, limited awareness about the second dose, and challenges in reaching remote communities,” Olaro said.
He added that malnutrition, delayed health-seeking, and complications such as pneumonia and diarrhoea are worsening outcomes, while some survivors develop long-term neurological complications.
The ministry warned that nearly half of Uganda’s districts are at moderate to high risk of continued measles transmission.
Source Nile post
The Director General of Health Services, Charles Olaro, said the country remains below the 95 percent immunisation threshold required to stop transmission, despite improvements in recent years.
National measles vaccination coverage rose to 90 percent in 2024, up from 79 percent in 2016.
However, uptake of the second measles-rubella (MR) dose at 18 months stands at just 64 percent, compared to 92 percent for the first dose leaving many children vulnerable.
According to the ministry, 66 districts reported outbreaks in 2025, with over 10,163 cases and 60 deaths recorded. The Karamoja sub-region accounted for 31 percent of the fatalities.
Between January and April 2026, 20 districts including Mubende, Gulu, and Adjumani have confirmed outbreaks, with 12 deaths reported.
Investigations show that 75 percent of cases are among children under five, while 64 percent of those infected had never received any measles-rubella vaccine.
“The current outbreaks are driven by low population immunity, vaccine hesitancy, limited awareness about the second dose, and challenges in reaching remote communities,” Olaro said.
He added that malnutrition, delayed health-seeking, and complications such as pneumonia and diarrhoea are worsening outcomes, while some survivors develop long-term neurological complications.
The ministry warned that nearly half of Uganda’s districts are at moderate to high risk of continued measles transmission.
Source Nile post