Uganda’s routine immunisation programme recorded strong performance in 2024 and sustained high coverage in 2025, driven by nationwide catch-up campaigns, the rollout of new vaccines, and intensified community engagement, according to the Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunisation (UNEPI).
Presenting an update on vaccine performance and vaccine-preventable diseases, UNEPI Program Manager Dr. Michael Baganizi said Uganda currently provides protection against 14 diseases through routine immunisation, including measles, polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, rotavirus, yellow fever and, most recently, malaria.
Dr. Baganizi described 2025 as an “extraordinarily high-performing year,” largely due to the “big catch-up” campaign conducted between October and November, which targeted children who had missed vaccinations over the previous three to four years. He noted that in 2025, most vaccine antigens have continued to post coverage levels above 90 percent.
Newly introduced vaccines have also shown significant improvement. The second dose of injectable polio vaccine, the third dose of the rotavirus vaccine, yellow fever vaccine at nine months, and the hepatitis B birth dose have all recorded sharp increases in uptake. Rotavirus third-dose coverage, for example, rose from 29 percent in 2024 to 73 percent in 2025, while yellow fever and malaria vaccines continue to trend upward.
Malaria vaccination, launched in April 2025, was highlighted as a major milestone. Uganda became the world’s largest implementer of the malaria vaccine, introducing it in 107 districts classified as having moderate to high malaria burden. By December 2025, more than one million children had received the first dose, surpassing the initial target.
However, uptake of the second and third malaria doses remains lower than desired. Dr. Baganizi attributed this to the novelty of the vaccine schedule, which requires visits at six, seven and eight months—ages when caregivers were previously not accustomed to returning to health facilities. To address this, UNEPI has intensified community mobilisation through village health teams, community leaders and religious institutions to remind caregivers of follow-up doses.
At district level, access and retention indicators also improved. Districts classified in the highest performance category increased from 79 to 83 by December 2025, reflecting better access to initial vaccination and improved completion of schedules. Nonetheless, some districts remain in the lowest category, where both access and utilisation are weak.
The programme has also grappled with outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly measles. Between January and December, 66 districts reported measles outbreaks. Of these, 43 have been fully controlled, while surveillance continues in others. Karamoja has been the most affected region, compounded by high levels of child malnutrition, which increases vulnerability to severe disease and deaths.
To decisively address measles, Uganda plans a nationwide, non-selective measles-rubella campaign in October, targeting all children. Dr. Baganizi said this will be the “ultimate response” to recurring outbreaks.
Progress was also reported on yellow fever elimination. Following phased campaigns across the country, Uganda has vaccinated about 30.7 million people against yellow fever.
With routine vaccination now integrated at nine months of age, the country has entered the elimination phase, with close monitoring by the World Health Organization. Successful elimination would ease travel requirements and support tourism and economic activity.
Other notable developments include the transition to a single-dose HPV vaccine for 10-year-old girls, following WHO guidance, and the recovery of hepatitis B birth-dose coverage after a global vaccine shortage in 2023–2024.
Despite these gains, challenges persist. Disease outbreaks such as Ebola, mpox, measles and yellow fever divert resources from routine services. The expansion of vaccination into the second year of life has also required sustained behaviour change among caregivers.
Funding constraints following reduced partner support, alongside misinformation and disinformation about vaccines, continue to threaten uptake.
To mitigate these challenges, UNEPI has expanded community dialogues, strengthened media partnerships, distributed more than 1,000 vaccine fridges, and earmarked about 250 health facilities for full solarisation, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
Targeted strategies are also being implemented in 59 districts facing equity challenges, including island, mountainous, nomadic and fishing communities.
Dr. Baganizi emphasised that routine immunisation remains one of the safest and most effective public health interventions, preventing illness, disability and death.
He reiterated that all routine vaccines are provided free of charge at public and private not-for-profit health facilities across Uganda.