25 CSOs join Ministry of Health Under UNEPI to support demand generation for immunization

• The challenge: In 2024, Uganda faced challenges in reaching zero-dose and under-immunised children, especially in underserved and remote communities. Demand generation remained weak, coverage for priority antigens such as MR2, HPV, Hep-B birth dose, Yellow Fever, and Td consistently underperformed, and vaccine misinformation was rising.
• The solution: The Ministry of Health onboarded 25 local CSOs active across 98 districts into the national EPI with Gavi funding. For the first time, these CSOs were embedded in national-level governance, planning and review processes, supported district data use, and deployed digital tools for defaulter tracking and zero-dose profiling, alongside community engagement.

• 17,648 ZD and 39,808 under-immunised children identified (Jan-Aug 2025). Of these, over 39,000 have been vaccinated to date
• 1,964 integrated outreaches conducted, reaching 112,861 children
• 42,904 adolescent girls vaccinated for HPV
• Districts report improved use of DHIS2/RED categorisation, stronger demand generation, and quicker closure of immunisation gaps

When fully integrated into EPIs, CSOs can strengthen country governance, accountability, data use and digital innovation, accelerating progress toward zero-dose reduction.