UPA PRESS STATEMENT ON THE NATIONAL MEASLES, RUBELLA AND POLIO CAMPAIGN 16TH TO 20TH OCTOBER 2019

The Uganda Paediatric Association (UPA) wishes to inform the public that the Ministry of Health will be conducting a National Measles-Rubella and Polio campaign from the 16th of October to the 20th of October 2019 across all districts in Uganda.

The Uganda Paediatric Association is an association of paediatricians and associate memberswhose major objective is to promote the dissemination of the knowledge of Paediatrics andChild Health theat will enhance the welfare of Ugandan Children.

The Uganda Paediatric Association plays a major role in advocacy for children and acts in an advisory role to build the capacity at various levels.

In this regards the Uganda Paediatric Association calls upon all parents, guardians and caretakers of children below 15 years of age to take them for the mass measles-rubella and polio campaign beginning today 16th October and ending 20th October 2019.

The Uganda Paediatric Association will like to state that Vaccines are SAFE and EFFECTIVE in the prevention of diseases which can be prevented by IMMUNIZATION.

Over the last ten (10) years, Uganda has experienced recurrent measles outbreaks in 26 districts in the country. Kampala and Wakiso has been districts where these outbreaks frequently occur. In addition, the national surveillance for rubella has shown an increase in the number of detectable rubella cases in the country. The vaccination against rubella is to prevent congenital rubella syndrome in newborn children. These children are born with congenital deformities such as heart defects, eye defects, hearing defects and mental retardation.

The Uganda Paediatric Association will like to join the MINISTRY OF HEALTH of UGANDA and the development partners such as World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to reassure the general public that the Measles-Rubella vaccine is safe and is not associated with children developing any disorders such as Autistic Spectrum Disorders (Autism). The Measles-Rubella vaccination shall prevent deaths associated with measles infection and prevent the occurrence of childhood deafness, mental retardation and blindness as a result of the rubella infection.

The parents, caretakers and guardians are therefore encouraged to take their children under 15 years for the mass measles-rubella vaccination and for children under 5 years they shall receive polio vaccine in addition to the measles-rubella vaccination.

Thank you
Children are our Future
Dr Deogratias Munube, President - Uganda Paediatric Association