Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | The Ministry of Health in Uganda has announced the commencement of a large-scale Ebola vaccination drive aimed at protecting 25,000 individuals who are at elevated risk of exposure to the virus.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Charles Olaro, the Director of Health Services, highlighted that this campaign is designed to safeguard vulnerable populations and strengthen the country’s readiness to handle potential outbreaks of the deadly virus.
Uganda has secured 25,000 doses of the Ebola vaccine. The regimen consists of two doses, similar to those used in previous vaccination efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.
The first dose, known as “Zabdeno,” is followed by a second dose, “Mvabea,” administered approximately eight weeks later.
“This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to combat the Ebola threat in the region and protect the health and safety of Ugandans,” Olaro said. “We call on all stakeholders to support and participate in this vital vaccination campaign to help safeguard our communities from Ebola,” he added.
The Ministry of Health has announced that the initial phase of the Ebola vaccination campaign began on September 23, with the second phase scheduled for November 23.
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Charles Olaro, Director of Health Services, emphasized that the vaccination effort prioritizes individuals in high-risk roles, including healthcare workers, military personnel, refugees, immigration officials, and birth attendants.
Ebola is a highly infectious virus known to cause severe symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, and, in many cases, internal and external bleeding.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease is often fatal, with mortality rates ranging from 50% to 89%, depending on the viral strain.
