135 children vaccinated against malaria in Apac during the campaign week

By Joshua Olomo (editor@vol.co.ug)

Apac

At least 135 children under five years old were vaccinated against malaria yesterday during the official launch of the vaccination campaign at Apac Boma Ground, Apac Municipality.

The R21 Matrix-Malaria Vaccine will be administered in four intervals to a total of 1.1 million children under five years.

In a message delivered by Prime Minister Nabanja, President Yoweri Museveni stated that the malaria vaccination campaign aims to curb the spread of the disease, which is impacting Uganda’s economic growth.

He said in 1990, the government introduced six free vaccines for children in Uganda.

Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, explained that Apac was chosen for the malaria vaccine launch due to the high burden of the disease in the area, where at least 41% of the population is affected by malaria every month, including 4% of children. This is against the national prevalence rate of 66%.

Dr. Aceng assured the public that the vaccines have been thoroughly tested and approved for use

James Odongo, the Apac District Health Officer, noted that malaria cases among pregnant women in the district had risen from 3,80 in 2020 to 4,434 in 2024.

Odongo Asante, the Apac District LCV Chairman, expressed concern that the high malaria prevalence is hindering the district’s economic growth.

Sharon Okunyu, a resident of Angina Cell, Odokomac Ward, Agulu Division, Apac Municipality, and Immaculate Akullu from Village Inn, both expressed excitement and welcomed the malaria vaccination campaign.