Uganda Yellow Fever Preventive Mass Vaccination Campaign Phase 2, April 2-8, 2024

Introduction

Uganda is a yellow fever endemic country with high-risk of transmission. The country introduced Yellow Fever vaccine into routine immunization schedule in October 2022, during the integrated child health days (ICHDs). The yellow fever vaccine is safe and effective, and a single dose provides life-long protection against yellow fever. It provides effective immunity within 10 days for 80–100% of people vaccinated, and within 30 days for more than 99% of people vaccinated. All children aged 9 months and above, and adults are eligible for vaccination. A booster dose is not needed!

Despite the introduction of the yellow fever vaccine in the routine immunization schedule, the national coverage has remained low at 29%. This low level of population immunity poses a high risk of yellow fever outbreaks. To rapidly raise the population immunity against yellow fever, the country planned to conduct phased implementation of Yellow Fever Preventive Mass Vaccination Campaigns (PMVC) in 2023, and 2024.

Goal of Yellow Fever Preventive Mass Vaccination Campaigns

• To eliminate yellow fever epidemics in Uganda by 2026

Specific Objectives

• To vaccinate at least 90% of eligible population aged 1 to 60 years against yellow fever
• To effectively engage all stakeholders and mobilize all communities for yellow fever vaccination
• To effectively communicate and engage communities on risk of YF, how to reduce risk and strengthen surveillance for yellow fever
• To strengthen routine immunization by improving uptake and reporting for new vaccines with emphasis to the life course approach

Target Population

Vaccination will target 14,437,098 (90% of the eligible population) persons aged 12 months up to 60 years, including the refugee population.

Planned Implementation dates

The Yellow Fever (YF) PMVC will take place between 2^nd – 8^thApril 2024. In the first four days, vaccination teams will be in schools and then move to the community in the remaining three days.

Implementation Strategy 

Ministry of Health will use a combination of fixed and mobile post vaccination strategies at health facilities, schools, and selected villages to vaccinate all eligible people during the campaign.

Phase 1 was conducted in June, 2023 in 51 districts in 6 regions of Kabale (Kigezi), Kabarole (Tooro), Lira (Lango), Arua (Westnile), Gulu (Acholi), and Hoima (Bunyoro).

Ministry of Health (MOH) with support from Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and other partners has planned to conduct phase 2 of the Yellow Fever PMVC. Phase 2 will be conducted in 53 districts and cities in 5 regions of Moroto (Karamoja), Mbarara (Ankole), Kampala, Masaka (South central), and Soroti (Teso)
in April 2024.