KAMPALA, Uganda: The Ministry of Health, in partnership with Amref Health Africa, UNICEF, and Africa CDC, has launched the nationwide distribution of routine immunisation job aids aimed at strengthening supervision and ensuring accuracy in vaccine delivery.
The materials, developed under the Saving Lives and Livelihoods Phase II programme, were officially handed over on November 12. They are designed to guide frontline health workers and rebuild public confidence in Uganda’s immunisation and mass drug administration campaigns.
Alfred Dirwale, Commissioner of Health Services for Institutional Capacity Building and Human Resource Development, said the job aids provide step-by-step guidance to prevent errors during vaccination sessions.
“We acknowledge the public concern following the recent incident and have taken it as a wake-up call to tighten quality assurance. These job aids will guide vaccinators step by step to avoid mix-ups and errors in the future,” Dirwale said.
He explained that the guides serve as quick reference tools in busy clinics, helping staff plan immunisation sessions, store vaccines correctly, and administer them safely at the appropriate age and site.
Dirwale further noted that Uganda’s strong immunisation strategy has significantly reduced disease burden.
“This strategy has contributed to our successes in disease prevention. While malaria used to be the leading cause of death among children, pneumonia has now overtaken it, partly due to effective immunisation strategies,” he added.
Rita Atugonza from the Vaccines and Immunisation Division emphasized that the materials were developed jointly with Ministry staff and partners to ensure uniform quality across all vaccination points.
“This handover is not merely symbolic; it reinforces regional efforts to build a resilient health system. The job aids will be distributed to health facilities across the country by the National Medical Stores, with priority given to districts facing frequent outbreaks and those hosting refugee settlements,” Atugonza said.
Patrick Kagurusi, Director of Amref Health Africa in Uganda, highlighted the role of continuous support in strengthening the health workforce.
“The recent errors in the field underscore why these materials are crucial. They simplify procedures and make it easier for health workers to follow standard guidelines. Our goal is to strengthen last-mile delivery so that communities continue to trust health interventions,” Kagurusi said.
He added that the job aids reflect a broader investment in preventive health, noting that immunisation remains more cost-effective than managing disease outbreaks.
Representing Africa CDC, Gebremichael Molla said the handover signified a renewed commitment to protecting communities and supporting frontline health workers.
“These tools are a broader investment in capacity building and the sustainability of Uganda’s immunisation programme, reaffirming Africa CDC’s dedication to strengthening regional manufacturing, disease surveillance, and the new public health order,” Molla said.
The initiative comes in the wake of a recent incident at Kajumbajumba Primary School in Ntungamo, where more than 100 pupils received incorrect deworming tablets. Several children lost consciousness, and at least 44 were hospitalised, triggering nationwide concern.
