NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Monday, January 20, 2014

In an effort to protect infants from Pneumonia, the ministry of Health is rolling out administration of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), starting this week.

A total of 1,521,061 children below one year are being targeted and these will receive the vaccine when they go for routine immunization. The ministry estimates that the vaccine will save the country Shs. 2.5bn in direct medical costs. Uganda received the PCV, which also protects infants against life-threatening infections such as meningitis and sepsis, on December 23, 2013, after meeting all the requirements of the GAVI alliance and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The first consignment of 500,000 doses has already been delivered to the National Medical Stores, and the next delivery of 250,000 doses arrives in March. Delivery of the vaccines to districts started on January 14 and will be completed by the end of the month, officials said.