A critical Mpox vaccine shortage in Kalangala District has disrupted Uganda’s mass vaccination campaign, excluding Bujumba and Mugoye sub-counties from the first phase and leaving vulnerable island populations at risk.
13,000 Doses for 43,000 Needed
Kalangala District needed 43,000 doses of the Imvanex (Jynneos) vaccine to cover its high-risk groups, but the Ministry of Health delivered only 13,000 doses—part of the 100,000 received through the Africa CDC. Dr Godfrey Hadubi, Assistant District Health Officer, stated that Mugoye and Bujumba will be vaccinated once more doses arrive.
High-Risk Groups Prioritised
The first phase targets health workers, commercial sex workers and their clients, bar and lodge employees, transport operators, people with HIV/AIDS, and residents of densely populated landing sites. “We are also vaccinating contacts of confirmed cases and customers of commercial sex workers,” Dr Hadubi said.
Launched on June 6 at Gaza in Kibanga Village—an area known for sex work—the campaign has vaccinated over 4,000 people to date.
Community Response Divided
While some residents like Christine Nakimweelo and Javiira Mugezi came forward, citing proximity to monkey habitats and local cases, others remain hesitant. Joseph Lubega, LC1 of Mweena Village, blamed poor mobilisation and a lack of early sensitisation. He noted that involving religious and cultural leaders earlier would have boosted public trust.
To address this, the district partnered with Ssese County Chief Augustine Kasirye and religious leaders to increase awareness.
Dr Hadubi assured the community: “No side effects have been reported. We observe everyone briefly after vaccination and advise on symptoms to monitor.”
Each vaccination team includes five health workers and three local volunteers, covering even remote island communities.
Cases on the Rise
Kalangala’s Mpox cases surged from 40 to 65 in three weeks, with a 75% positivity rate among 88 tested samples. Health officials fear higher figures due to underreporting and limited testing.
Hardest-hit landing sites include Kitobo, Nakibanga, Bossa, Misonzi, Kachanga, Nkose, Katooke, and Mweena. In Kitobo, suspected cases jumped from five to nearly 80. Local leaders suspended sex work and introduced discharge form requirements for recovered patients rejoining the community.
Ongoing National Concerns
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, spreads through close physical contact. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash, and fatigue. Uganda had recorded 5,431 confirmed cases and 41 deaths as of April 15, 2025.
The current rollout in Uganda places sex workers and high-exposure groups at the front of the line, as detailed by Gavi’s vaccine report. Similarly, UNICEF highlights the hope that vaccinations bring to fishing communities in similar island districts like Entebbe.
For wider health system challenges, explore how over 1,000 health workers lost their jobs due to the US aid freeze, or why Uganda’s Health Minister warned against exhuming Ebola victims amid public health tensions.
