Following identification of isolated cases of measles disease in some districts, a weeklong intensified immunization campaign in Mukono district has begun in government health units and private-not-for-profit (PNFP) health centres. It began on Tuesday November 12, 2024 and is to run up to Tuesday November 18 (next week).
The campaign code-named ‘Big Catch Up Immunization’ is targeting children of immunizable age who missed the exercise during the COVID-19 lockdown, those who never completed the immunization schedule last year, and babies born recently and have not undergone immunization.
In an interview with Kyaggwe TV today, Mukono District Health Officer (DHO), Dr. Mulindwa Stephen dismissed fears of their children being jabbed with foreign substances, saying there is no new vaccine being introduced in the process, and appealed to parents and benefactors of children of immunisable age who could have missed the routine immunization.
The DHO also disclosed that Mukono has been selected by the Ministry of Health to host the 50th anniversary of use of immunization vaccines in the world, with the function to be held at Katoogo Health Centre III in Nama sub-county on Monday 18th November 2024.
He said that among expected guests to grace the function is the GAVI Chief Executive officer, officials from the Ministry of Health headed by the Minister Jane Ruth Aceng, ministry commissioners and other top government executives. Dr. Mulindwa disclosed that there will be a medical camp for pregnant women, cervical cancer screening and treatment of sexual reproductive health ailments.
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All immunization and medical camp services are free of charge and, according to Dr. Mulindwa, it is hoped that the immunization exercise will be extended if the targeted number of children is not covered within the stipulated one week because, he added, the bottom line is complete eradication of measles.
He however downplayed fears of presence of the disease in the district, saying that so far there is no single case of either measles or polio detected. And on fears of possible Mpox attack, citing suspected symptoms, Dr. Mulindwa clarified that not all boils on the body are significant of the dreaded disease, and that proof of the disease can only be ascertained by specified medical personnel.