National Medical Stores (NMS) is set to carry out a free Yellow Fever vaccination exercise in Arua City in West Nile Region, officials announced on Tuesday.
The two-day exercise will start on Tuesday, March 23 at Police Grounds in Arua City.
The exercise shall benefit Ugandans living in and around Arua and West Nile at large from the age of 9 months to 59 years.
NMS’ Public Relations Officer (PRO) James Odong said this is part of NMS’ Corporate Social Responsibility.
“This free yellow fever vaccination is a token of our commitment to consistently contribute towards positive social development and better quality of life of Ugandans,” he explained.
“Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in the fight against the novel Covid-19 will be observed.”
NMS has over the years carried out yellow fever vaccination activities in several parts of the country.
Uganda is considered a high-risk country for Yellow fever by a comprehensive global strategy to Eliminate Yellow fever Epidemics (EYE).
In 2020, the Ministry of Health launched the yellow fever vaccination campaign in West Nile after the disease claimed four lives.
NMS General Manager, Moses Kamabare emphasised that immunization remains the main strategic approach to prevent, contain and eliminate Yellow fever outbreaks.
“NMS has been an active partner with the people of Uganda for 27 years and it is an honour that we shall continue to defend and maintain. NMS is passionate about your lives,” said Kamabare.
“NMS has provided, and will continue to provide, the necessary medicines and other medical supplies including Personal Protective Equipment to Government Health Facilities and other institutions that are at the frontline in the fight against Covid-19 as advised by Ministry of Health,” he emphasised.
NMS’ mandate is to procure, store and distribute Essential Medicines and Medical Supplies (EMHS) to Public Health Facilities.