Over 25,000 Individuals in High risk communities of Ebola to be vaccinated.
By Amos Ssemuwemba
The Ministry of Health has rolled out a nationwide Ebola vaccination campaign aimed at protecting 25,000 individuals deemed to be at high risk of contracting the deadly disease. The initiative comes as part of the country’s broader efforts to bolster its preparedness against future outbreaks.
Dr. Charles Olaro, Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, announced the campaign in a statement on Thursday, emphasizing its importance in safeguarding Uganda’s most vulnerable populations. “This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to combat the Ebola threat in the region and protect the health and safety of Ugandans,” Olaro said.
The vaccination drive will use a two-dose regimen, consisting of the vaccines Zabdeno and Mvabea. This method has been successfully implemented in neighboring countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. “Zabdeno” is administered first, followed by “Mvabea” after approximately eight weeks to complete the protection.
The Ministry of Health began the first phase of the vaccination on September 23, with the second dose set to be administered on November 23. Priority for the vaccination has been given to frontline health workers, armed forces, refugees, immigration personnel, and birth attendants—all considered to be at higher risk due to their roles.
Dr. Olaro called on the public and all stakeholders to support the initiative. “We call on all stakeholders to support and participate in this vital vaccination campaign to help safeguard our communities from Ebola,” he urged.
Ebola is a highly contagious virus, notorious for its devastating impact on human health. It presents symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and both internal and external bleeding. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ebola has a high fatality rate, with the virus killing between 50% and 89% of those infected, depending on the subtype.
This vaccination drive is part of Uganda’s proactive steps to prevent the spread of Ebola, particularly given its proximity to regions that have experienced outbreaks. The Ministry’s latest efforts underscore the critical need for preparedness in curbing the disease before it becomes a widespread threat.
The success of this campaign could play a significant role in protecting not just Uganda but the broader East African region from future Ebola outbreaks.
