MINISTRY OF HEALTH TO LAUNCH MASS VACCINATION ON 9TH JUNE AGAINST YELLOW FEVER IN KANUNGU DISTRICT

By Ambrose Kweronda
In Kanungu

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Kanungu District, is gearing up to launch a comprehensive vaccination campaign against yellow fever, as a key initiative under the Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunisation (UNEPI).

This large-scale campaign aims to provide immunization to all citizens between the ages of nine months and 60 years across the entire district.

Scheduled to commence on June 9th and conclude on June 13, 2023, the campaign will run daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A total of 104 vaccination centers will be set up within Kanungu District to facilitate the process.

To mark the commencement of this important initiative, Kanungu District Health Officer (DHO), Dr. Birungi Mutahunga, will officially launch the Yellow Fever prevention mass vaccination campaign on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Kanungu health center IV.

Dr. Mutahunga urges all residents within the specified age group to make it a priority to receive the vaccination. Emphasizing the seriousness of yellow fever and its lack of a cure, the DHO highlights that the only effective method of prevention is through vaccination. Rest assured, the Yellow Fever vaccine is both safe and highly effective.

The DHO stresses the significance of this campaign, emphasizing its role in protecting the public from yellow fever and ensuring compliance with international travel requirements. Notably, a single dose of the yellow fever vaccine provides lifelong protection, eliminating the need for additional booster shots.

With a call to action, Dr. Mutahunga encourages the public to take personal responsibility for their health and the well-being of others by actively participating in this crucial vaccination program.

By doing so, the community will not only protect themselves but also contribute to the collective effort of safeguarding against the spread of yellow fever.

Additionally, he mentioned that individuals who have previously been vaccinated against a specific disease should not receive the vaccination again. This implies that individuals who have already been vaccinated for that disease do not need to participate in the vaccination campaign.