Uganda’s routine immunisation programme recorded impressive results in 2025, with vaccine coverage for most preventable diseases surpassing 90 percent, according to the Ministry of Health. Despite challenges posed by outbreaks of measles and Mpox, the country’s immunisation efforts were a central part of its public health strategy, with key achievements in vaccination rollout and disease prevention. The Ministry emphasized vaccination as a cost-effective and life-saving measure, reflecting its strong commitment to improving public health.
Key Vaccination Efforts and Achievements
The Ministry of Health highlighted several major accomplishments in 2025. One of the most significant was the introduction of the malaria vaccine in 107 high-burden districts. This global-scale rollout successfully reached over one million children, exceeding the target population. By the end of the year, 67 percent had received the second dose, and 47 percent had received the third. This marked a major step forward in malaria prevention, with Uganda becoming a global leader in the largest malaria vaccine rollout.
Another important milestone was the adoption of the World Health Organization’s guidance on cervical cancer prevention, which involved administering a single dose of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to 10-year-old girls. Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Uganda, and this initiative aims to protect a new generation of women from this deadly disease.
Yellow fever control also saw progress in 2025, with over 30 million Ugandans vaccinated across four national phases. The yellow fever vaccine, which provides lifetime protection, has now been integrated into Uganda’s routine immunisation schedule for children at nine months.
Responding to Disease Outbreaks
Despite the successes, Uganda faced challenges in 2025, particularly with measles outbreaks in 66 districts. The Ministry reported 896 confirmed measles cases and some suspected deaths, especially in the Karamoja region. However, the outbreak response vaccination campaign was effective, reducing new outbreaks by 80 percent and confirmed cases by 73 percent by the end of the year. The Ministry continues to monitor the situation, with 43 districts declaring their outbreaks over, while a few districts, including parts of Karamoja and the Kampala Metropolitan Area, still report ongoing cases.
Mpox cases, which peaked in early 2025, also saw a steady decline after the rollout of a vaccine across 45 districts. The Ministry reported receiving over 350,000 Mpox vaccine doses with high utilization rates and no serious safety concerns.
Challenges and Ongoing Efforts
While the immunisation programme achieved many successes, challenges remain. Vaccine misinformation, reduced funding from partners, and the persistence of zero-dose children (those who have not received any vaccines) continue to pose significant barriers. The number of zero-dose children was reduced significantly in 2025, from over 104,000 at the start of 2024 to 36,452 by the end of 2025, due to intensified community outreach and health system improvements.
Dr. Diana Atwine, Uganda’s Permanent Secretary, emphasized the importance of media engagement in helping the public recognize the progress made in sustaining immunisation coverage. Dr. Atwine also urged parents to ensure children complete all recommended vaccine doses, especially the four doses of the malaria vaccine, to prevent the disease’s severity.
Looking Forward to 2026
As Uganda moves into 2026, the Ministry of Health will continue its efforts to expand immunisation coverage and improve access to vaccines. The focus will remain on the 14 vaccine-preventable diseases currently included in the routine immunisation schedule, with ongoing efforts to prevent diseases like polio, hepatitis B, and malaria.
Dr. Michael Baganizi, Program Manager at Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunisation (UNEPI), reiterated the importance of timely vaccine completion, highlighting the new single-dose HPV vaccine for 10-year-old girls as a critical component of the nation’s fight against cervical cancer.
Conclusion:
Uganda’s routine immunisation programme in 2025 reflects significant progress in disease prevention and public health. With strong coverage rates and successful vaccination campaigns for malaria, HPV, and yellow fever, the country is laying a solid foundation for continued health improvements in the years to come. As challenges persist, the Ministry of Health remains committed to strengthening the immunisation system and expanding access to life-saving vaccines for all Ugandans.
