tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Emerg Infect Dis
. 2024 Jul;30(7):1326-1334.
doi: 10.3201/eid3007.231001.
Strategies to Enhance COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Prioritized Groups, Uganda-Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Future Pandemics
Daniel Kiiza, Judith Nanyondo Semanda, Boneventure Brian Kawere, Claire Ajore, Christopher Kaliisa Wasswa, Andrew Kwiringira, Emmanuel Tumukugize, Joel Sserubidde, Nashiba Namyalo, Ronald Baker Wadria, Peter Mukiibi, Julie Kasule, Ivan Chemos, Acham Winfred Ruth, Ritah Atugonza, Flora Banage, Yvette Wibabara, Immaculate Ampaire, Alfred Driwale, Waverly Vosburgh, Lisa Nelson, Mohammed Lamorde, Amy Boore
COVID-19 vaccination was launched in March 2021 in Uganda and initially prioritized persons >50 years of age, persons with underlying conditions, healthcare workers, teachers, and security forces. However, uptake remained low 5 months after the program launch. Makerere University's Infectious Diseases Institute supported Uganda's Ministry of Health in optimizing COVID-19 vaccination uptake models by using point-of-care, place of worship, and place of work engagement and the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment model in 47 of 135 districts in Uganda, where we trained influencers to support mobilization for vaccination outreach under each model. During July-December, vaccination rates increased significantly in targeted regions, from 92% to 130% for healthcare workers, 40% to 90% for teachers, 25% to 33% for security personnel, 6% to 15% for persons >50 years of age, and 6% to 11% for persons with underlying conditions. Our approach could be adopted in other targeted vaccination campaigns for future pandemics.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Uganda; high-priority populations; respiratory infections; vaccine-preventable diseases; vaccines; viruses; zoonoses.
. 2024 Jul;30(7):1326-1334.
doi: 10.3201/eid3007.231001.
Strategies to Enhance COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Prioritized Groups, Uganda-Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Future Pandemics
Daniel Kiiza, Judith Nanyondo Semanda, Boneventure Brian Kawere, Claire Ajore, Christopher Kaliisa Wasswa, Andrew Kwiringira, Emmanuel Tumukugize, Joel Sserubidde, Nashiba Namyalo, Ronald Baker Wadria, Peter Mukiibi, Julie Kasule, Ivan Chemos, Acham Winfred Ruth, Ritah Atugonza, Flora Banage, Yvette Wibabara, Immaculate Ampaire, Alfred Driwale, Waverly Vosburgh, Lisa Nelson, Mohammed Lamorde, Amy Boore
- PMID: 38916545
- DOI: 10.3201/eid3007.231001
COVID-19 vaccination was launched in March 2021 in Uganda and initially prioritized persons >50 years of age, persons with underlying conditions, healthcare workers, teachers, and security forces. However, uptake remained low 5 months after the program launch. Makerere University's Infectious Diseases Institute supported Uganda's Ministry of Health in optimizing COVID-19 vaccination uptake models by using point-of-care, place of worship, and place of work engagement and the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment model in 47 of 135 districts in Uganda, where we trained influencers to support mobilization for vaccination outreach under each model. During July-December, vaccination rates increased significantly in targeted regions, from 92% to 130% for healthcare workers, 40% to 90% for teachers, 25% to 33% for security personnel, 6% to 15% for persons >50 years of age, and 6% to 11% for persons with underlying conditions. Our approach could be adopted in other targeted vaccination campaigns for future pandemics.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Uganda; high-priority populations; respiratory infections; vaccine-preventable diseases; vaccines; viruses; zoonoses.