Uganda Intensifies Yellow Fever Vaccination Campaign Amid Vaccine Hesitancy
In April, Uganda's Ministry of Health launched an extensive vaccination campaign to combat yellow fever, a mosquito-borne disease with no specific treatment but preventable through vaccination. The campaign aimed to immunize millions, yet hesitancy has left hundreds of doses unused in hospitals nationwide.
In April, Uganda's Ministry of Health launched an extensive vaccination campaign to combat yellow fever, a mosquito-borne disease with no specific treatment but preventable through vaccination. The campaign aimed to immunize millions, yet hesitancy has left hundreds of doses unused in hospitals nationwide.
Yellow fever, which poses significant global health risks, especially in central Africa and South America, can be fatal. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the vaccine offers lifelong protection. Despite the vaccine's efficacy, uptake has been slow. The second phase of Uganda's campaign, initially set for April 2nd to 8th, was extended due to low turnout. The 2023 campaign targeted 13 million people, and combined efforts in 2023 and 2024 sought to vaccinate 27 million. However, only 12 million have been immunized so far, stalling the eradication effort.
Experts, including Dr. Michael Baganizi, Program Manager for Uganda’s National Expanded Program on Immunization, emphasize the urgency of vaccination. "Even one case can become a national risk," Baganizi warned. Uganda remains one of 27 African countries classified as high-risk for yellow fever, with 90% of global cases occurring on the continent. Symptoms include fever, headache, jaundice, and severe cases can lead to death, affecting 84,000–170,000 people annually in Africa. Baganizi attributes vaccine hesitancy to the disease's lesser-known profile compared to illnesses like malaria, a sentiment echoed by healthcare workers observing that most vaccine recipients seek it for travel requirements rather than local protection.
Efforts to educate the public face challenges. Many, like Kampala councilor Mosh Ssendi, argue against the vaccination, favoring natural immunity. Registered nurse James Odite notes that misconceptions, such as fears of expired vaccines, deter people from getting vaccinated. Despite these obstacles, health officials remain committed to increasing awareness and vaccination rates to protect the population from this preventable yet deadly disease.
