Health authorities in Soroti City, Uganda, have raised concerns over resistance from some schools to the ongoing measles-rubella vaccination campaign. The nationwide campaign, which started on October 3, 2026, targets children aged between nine and 59 months. Health workers are conducting vaccinations in schools, health facilities, and communities. The city health officer, Dr. Noah Okiror, reported that some schools have denied health workers permission to vaccinate eligible children on their premises.
Dr. Okiror stated that all schools had been involved in the planning process, but some were already resisting health workers. He did not identify the affected schools but said health teams were engaging school administrators and parents to address concerns. Dr. Okiror appealed to the Resident City Commissioner's office to support health teams in gaining access to the affected schools. The vaccination campaign aims to reach all eligible children in the region.
Dr. Margaret Nabatanzi, the Ministry of Health's national supervisor for Soroti City, warned that people who deliberately obstruct the vaccination exercise could face legal action. She emphasized that no child in the target age group should miss the vaccine. Dr. Nabatanzi urged city authorities to work towards 100 percent vaccination coverage. She also mentioned that laboratory findings had shown an increasing trend in measles outbreaks, prompting the Ministry of Health to undertake the mass vaccination campaign.
According to Dr. Nabatanzi, health workers have been trained and are prepared to reach all eligible children. A mop-up exercise will be conducted in areas where some children are missed during the five-day campaign. The Ministry of Health has received 45,900 doses of the measles-rubella vaccine against a target population of 43,000 children in Soroti.
Joseph Mwesigwa, the Deputy Town Clerk, attributed some of the opposition to the campaign to a lack of information among community members. He urged health workers to intensify community sensitization on the safety and importance of the vaccines. This, he believes, will address misconceptions and encourage parents and guardians to have eligible children vaccinated.
Health officials have assured the public that the vaccine is safe and protects children against measles and rubella, diseases that can cause serious complications. The Ministry of Health has stated that the vaccination is free and is being offered through schools, health facilities, and community outreach points.
The measles-rubella vaccination campaign is a critical effort to prevent the spread of these diseases in Soroti City. With the support of local authorities and community members, health workers aim to achieve high vaccination coverage and protect the health of children in the region. Key efforts are being made to address concerns and misinformation that may be hindering the vaccination exercise.
Key points
- Some schools in Soroti City, Uganda, have resisted the measles-rubella vaccination exercise, despite being involved in the planning process.
- The Ministry of Health has warned that obstructing the vaccination exercise could lead to legal action.
- The vaccination campaign aims to reach 43,000 children in Soroti City, with 45,900 doses of the measles-rubella vaccine available.
