Government extends measles-rubella immunisation exercise
The Ministry of Health has extended the period for immunisation of measles and rubella to allow all children that have not been immunised to do so.
While addressing the media over the weekend, the minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said the immunisation exercise has so far covered three quarters of the 18 million targeted children .
“The ministry of heath is extending the ongoing national measles and Rubella immunisation campaign for one day that is Monday October 21, 2019 in the entire country. However, for the following areas: Kampala Capital City Authority, Wakiso, Mukono and Karamoja sub region the extension will be for two days,"she said.
She noted the exercise will focus on those schools that missed, those that were on midterm holiday and those that were overwhelmed by the high turn up of children for immunisation.
She noted that Karamoja sub region had heavy downpour and floods which disrupted the activity.
"The UPDF today airlifted additional vaccine from the national medical store to ensure that the districts which experienced stockouts are able to carry on with immunisation exercise during the extended period," she said.
According to the minister, the joint measles and Rubella vaccination card might be a subject of law enforcement after the process.
She said from the beginning of their preparations, relevant authorities were engaged.
These include the Resident District Commissioners (RDC), the chairpersons LC5, the Chief Administrative Officers (CAO), the district health officers, the District Education Officers (DEO) among others.
"We register the children so we know who is going to be vaccinated and we know we will have the data base of those who are not vaccinated. RDCs should link up with enforcement officers, each of them know their role and mandate,"she said.
Section 3 of the Immunisation Act 2017 requires every parent to ensure each or her child is vaccinated or pay a fine or face imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
