The government is poised to vaccinate over 10,000 high-risk health workers against Ebola, commencing in May 2024. This endeavor will primarily focus on 20 districts bordering the DR Congo, including select areas within Kampala city.
Dr. Henry Kyobe, an epidemiologist from the Ministry of Health and leader of the Ebola response taskforce, announced this development following the reception of a generous donation of 25,000 double doses from Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday. Dr. Kyobe disclosed that the Ministry had specifically requested this donation to augment the country’s defenses, particularly against the Sudanese strain that wreaked havoc in 2022. He emphasized that the vaccination campaign, slated for May, will commence after all necessary preparations are completed, stressing the importance of thoroughness over haste.
Identifying high-risk areas through meticulous risk assessment, Dr. Kyobe outlined the targeted districts along the DR Congo-Uganda border, spanning from West Nile to Kisoro. Frontline workers in selected health facilities within these districts will receive vaccinations, alongside individuals in Kampala deemed susceptible to the pandemic.
Highlighting vaccination as a supplementary measure to traditional preventative methods such as contact tracing and safe burial, Dr. Kyobe underscored the significance of the recently acquired Johnson & Johnson vaccine, administered in two doses to combat the Zaire strain.
Dr. Andrew Kambugu, the executive director of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), expressed readiness to spearhead the vaccination campaign as implementing partners.
This proactive vaccination initiative underscores Uganda’s commitment to bolstering its defenses against the Ebola pandemic, reflecting a robust stance on public health preparedness