Tororo, Uganda – In response to confirmed yellow fever cases in Kibuku District, the Ministry of Health has launched a week-long mass vaccination campaign across 17 districts in Eastern Uganda.
Tororo District is aiming to vaccinate 504,781 residents, with a focus on protecting schoolchildren before exams begin.
The campaign, which kicked off on Thursday, runs through April 16th, 2025, and targets individuals aged 1 to 60 years. Health officials are racing against time to ensure broad coverage before the deadly mosquito-borne disease spreads further.
“The exercise will go for seven days between now and the 16th. For now, we’re handling schools only since they are soon doing exams. Later, we shall shift to communities. On weekends, we shall be in churches, mosques, and funerals,” said Connie Bwire, Acting District Health Officer (DHO) for Tororo.
School Focus and Community Rollout
The initial phase of the campaign is prioritizing schools, deploying mobile health teams to reach learners directly in classrooms. The strategy aims to preempt the exam season while capturing a critical demographic.
Bwire stressed the urgency of achieving 95% coverage of the eligible population, emphasizing that immunizing children is a key goal.
“We want to make sure we reach 95% of the eligible population with the yellow fever vaccine to improve their immune system and reduce the risk of spreading the disease,” she said.
Challenges: Resistance from Some Schools
Despite a smooth start in many areas, the campaign has hit resistance in several schools, particularly those demanding parental consent before vaccinations.
“Our biggest challenge is with some schools. They have resisted the exercise, saying they need to first get consent from parents. But immunization is not new; this is a routine activity,” Bwire explained.
Among the schools cited for halting the vaccination drive were Nagongera Girls, Mama Junior, and Decell Iyolwa Secondary School.
“Surprisingly, most of these schools are Catholic-founded. I don’t know why. We are still engaging them, but should they persist, we will escalate the matter to the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC),” Bwire added.
Local Leaders Applaud the Effort
Despite the challenges, the campaign is gaining traction with local leaders and educators voicing strong support.
Rose Khayanga, Vice Chairperson of Malaba Town Council LC3, praised the program’s long-term benefits:
“Many people cross into Kenya and spend a lot on yellow fever certificates. This free vaccination protects our children.”
Florence Amusugut, head teacher at Koitangiro Primary School, also endorsed the school-first approach:
“It’s easier to reach children here than in villages. We encourage parents to take advantage of this life-saving program.”
Final Appeal
With April 16th fast approaching, health authorities are calling on all Tororo residents to cooperate with vaccination teams. The campaign is not just about compliance—it’s about saving lives.
