The Ministry of Health has called for research into reducing the number of injections in multi-dose vaccine schedules and improving outreach to younger mothers, particularly Gen Z parents, in a bid to ensure more children complete their immunisation programmes.
State Minister for Health, Dr Charles Ayume, made the remarks while opening the National Immunisation Symposium in Kampala, which is being held under the theme of equitable life-course immunisation.
Dr Ayume said sustained investment in vaccines remains central to public health progress, noting that immunisation has already played a key role in eliminating diseases such as smallpox.
He called for innovation in vaccine delivery and stronger engagement with urban Gen Z mothers to improve uptake and completion rates.
“I called for innovation to reduce doses and stronger engagement with urban Gen Z mothers,” Dr. Ayume said.
Director General of Health Services, Prof. Charles Olaro, described vaccines as the most cost-effective public health intervention and commended the Uganda National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group for guiding routine immunisation policy.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, pledged continued support to strengthen immunisation systems and track children who have not received any vaccines.
“I call for trust building to drive vaccine demand,” Dr. Mwinga said.
Programme Manager Dr. Michael Baganizi said government is piloting a last-mile vaccine delivery model in partnership with the National Medical Stores to reach underserved communities.
“After Busoga, the model is expanding to Teso and Bukedi to reach zero-dose children,” Dr. Baganizi said.
The symposium brought together partners including PATH, WHO, Gavi, UNICEF and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) to share strategies aimed at improving vaccine coverage and reaching children who have missed routine immunisation.
