Uganda Successfully Completed the Na- tional Measles, Rubella, and Polio Mass Campaign, 16th-20th October 2019

Uganda has been experiencing measles outbreaks since 2017 across the country. According to the Uganda Demographic Survey, 2016 measles immunization coverage was reported at 80% nationwide which is below the recommended 95% cover- age by WHO. Between 2017 and 2019, 300,000 cases, 46,000 admissions, and 587 deaths were reported in children ≤15yrs due to suspected measles in Uganda. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends mass measles vaccination campaigns every 3 years in addition to the routine immunization in order to reduce measles cases and deaths.

The last such campaign was conducted in 2015 which resulted in reduced measles incidence from 1.1/1,000 population in 2015 to 0.3/1,000 population in 2017 (Measles surveillance data). Additionally, Rubella outbreaks in over 14 districts were reported in 2017. Rubella has not been on the list of Expanded Programme for Immunization formulary in the past in Uganda.

Uganda also reported 8 Polio cases in 2009 and 4 cases in 2010. Since 2010, there have been no new cases that have been re- ported. However, Uganda is still at high risk of Polio importation from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where new cases of Polio have been reported. This is mainly due to her close proximity to the DRC, refugee hosting status, and high population movement between the two countries. Uganda continues with heightened surveillance in order to quickly detect and respond to Polio outbreaks. Hence, vaccination against Polio is key in order to reduce the number of susceptible populations.

Based on the highlighted issues, the Ministry of Health Uganda conducted a nationwide Measles-Rubella and Polio mass vaccination campaign to interrupt transmission of measles, rubella, and polio in Uganda. The campaign was launched in Mayuge district on 16 October 2019 by the Hon. Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng. The campaign was then rolled out to a national 5-day campaign from 16th to 20th October 2019. Three vaccines were administered including; Measles-Rubella which was administered to children between 9 months and 15 years of age while the Polio vaccine was administered to children 0 – 5 years.

A total of 19.5 million children were vaccinated against Measles- Rubella out of the 18.1 million targeted, an achievement of 108%. While over 7.9 million children out of the 8.2 million targeted were vaccinated against Polio (97%). According the surveillance report, 212 suspected measles cases were reported in the week of 4th November 2019 compared to 733 cases reported in the week of 1st April 2019. The biggest challenge faced during the campaign was viral misinformation spread to the public on the potential adverse events related to the Measles- Rubella vaccine. This resulted in public resistance to the vaccination process. This rounds us about the need to adequately sensitize the public prior and during mass vaccination campaign to ensure full participation.