The Ministry of Health is concerned that the turn up of children for immunization is still low despite the availability of vaccines.

According to Dr. Immaculate Ampire, the Assistant Programmes Manager of the Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunization (UNEPI), the negligence of some parents to have their children immunized of preventable diseases is the cause of the increase in the number of zero-dose children.

She made the comments during the National Media Orientation on Africa Vaccination Week in Kampala.

Ahead of the annual Africa Vaccination Week 2023, the Ministry of Health intends to communicate strategic shifts in immunization, increase advocacy and mobilize communities to embrace the immunization of children from preventable diseases.

Trends from UNEPI, 2016 - 2022 coverage especially in areas around Kampala, Kamuli, Mukono and Wakiso show that the intake of some vaccines such as BCG against tuberculosis, DPT 3, Rota 2 against diarrhea due to Rotavirus, OPV0 against poliomyelitis, and HPV2 against cervical cancer, are below the ministry’s national target of 100% and 90% administration to the population.

Over 100,000 children are registered as zero-dose children, indicating that they received either one or no dose from routine vaccination, and are not identified by name or location.

Dr. Immaculate Ampire, the Assistant Programmes Manager, Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunization (UNEPI) highlighted some of the factors hindering parents from taking their children for routine immunization.

Dr. Ampire believes that these concerns can be addressed through social behavioral approach to increase vaccine uptake.  She urged the media to help in tracing the zero-dose children and spread the message that vaccines are safe and prevent deadly diseases.

The categories of people targeted for routine immunization in include all women of childbearing age (15-49 years) to be vaccinated against tetanus and Diptheria, ten-14 year old girls to receive 2 doses of HPV vaccine against cervical cancer, children below 2 years should be immunized 6 times, while those aged 1 and a half years should be taken for a second dose of measles-rubella vaccine.

The Africa Vaccination Week 2023 under the theme, “The Big Catchup” will run from 24th to 30th April, 2023. Its focus is to keep immunization high on the national and regional agenda through advocacy and partnerships.

Mary Prima Awor