Photo Caption : A member of the vaccinating team vaccinates a health worker in Rwebisengo
Kampala, November 08, 2018 :
It is highly likely that Uganda may import EVD from DRC given the closeness of the current epicenter, the high population movements due to trade, social-cultural connections and easy accessibility of health services in Uganda.
Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng believes that the administration of the Ebola vaccine to frontline health care workers has been the missing link in the country’s EVD preparation and readiness efforts. She also explains that the vaccine is only available for frontline health workers who are at high risk of contracting EVD as they manage suspected cases.
“Therefore, the vaccine is not available to the general population at this stage. This is targeted vaccination,” Dr Aceng emphasized.
Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam the WHO Representative in Uganda, referred to the vaccination as a huge step in mitigating the risk of Ebola among health care workers. He assured them about its potency and ability to protect them effectively.
The districts targeted in the current vaccination phase are, Bundibugyo, Kabarole, Kasese, Ntoroko and Bunyangabu.
Other EVD preparatory activities going on are coordination of activities; health facility and community-based EVD surveillance; collection and testing of blood samples from alert cases; capacity building for infection prevention and control, clinical management, psycho-social care and for safe and dignified burials. Risk communication, community engagement and cross-border surveillance are also going on in many districts.