Luweero deploys 620 health workers for measles-rubella immunization

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Up to 620 health workers have been deployed to conduct the Measles, Rubella immunization in Luweero district. The campaign will run for five days, in schools, for the first three days and in communities, over the weekend, effective tomorrow.

The health workers are expected to conduct immunization at 310 sites designated across the district. They will also make visits in 920 private and government-aided schools to conduct the immunization, which is targeting all children younger than 15 years. Children younger than 9 months will also receive the oral polio vaccine as part of the campaign.

Ruth Namusisi Kasule, the officer in charge of Immunization at Luweero district says that the district targets to immunize over 200,000 children to keep them safe from the diseases. She adds that some of the sites will be health centres, routine outreaches and other community places which are easily accessible to the public.

Namusisi, however, dismissed fears that the deployment may paralyze general health services at the health centres saying there was proper planning and the district has enough manpower for the activities.

The Measles-Rubella immunization will be administered by injection to the upper left arm and the child will later be marked with indelible ink on the left thumb.

Patrick Mwesigye, the chairperson of the Luweero district Health Committee is optimistic that the turn up will be good despite the misconception among residents about the immunization. He adds that the area leaders have been asked to demystify delusions through sensitization.

Sharifah Namwanje, a resident of Luweero town council asked the health department to ensure that there are enough vaccines so that the health workers do not experience stock-outs and frustrate mothers.

According to the Uganda Demographic Health survey report for 2016, 55 per cent of children were fully immunized whereas 45 per cent did not complete the immunization schedule. The measles immunization coverage was 80 per cent below the desired target of 95 per cent to eliminate the disease.

The country has experienced measles outbreaks across numerous districts in recent months.   At the same time, polio remains a daunting threat, given evidence of vaccine-derived strains circulating in neighbouring countries.

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