Ministry Of Health Launches Ebola Vaccination For 25,000 Ugandans at Risk Of Contracting The Disease
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Loading... - ANGELINA ETULO
- 08 Oct 2024
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Uganda's Ministry of Health has launched a targeted Ebola vaccination campaign aimed at protecting 25,000 people who are at high risk of contracting the disease. Charles Olaro, the Director of Health Services, announced the initiative, highlighting its importance in safeguarding vulnerable groups and enhancing the country’s preparedness against the deadly virus.
The Ministry has secured 25,000 Ebola vaccine regimens, which will be administered in two doses. The first dose, Zabdeno, will be followed by the second dose, Mvabea, approximately eight weeks later. These vaccines have been successfully used in previous Ebola prevention campaigns in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
“This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to combat the Ebola threat in the region and protect the health and safety of Ugandans,” Olaro stated, urging stakeholders to support the vaccination drive.
The campaign officially began on September 23, with a second round scheduled for November 23. Priority groups for the vaccination include health workers, members of the armed forces, refugees, immigration personnel, and birth attendants, all of whom are at higher risk of exposure to the virus.
Ebola, a highly contagious viral disease, presents symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal and external bleeding. The World Health Organization estimates the mortality rate of Ebola to be between 50% and 89%, depending on the viral subtype, making preventive measures like vaccination critical in managing outbreaks.
