A recent study conducted by researchers at Makerere University School of Public Health has revealed alarmingly high levels of vaccine wastage in both rural and urban health facilities across Uganda.

The research, carried out in Mukono and Kalungu districts, evaluated wastage rates for six essential vaccines: BCG (tuberculosis), Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV), pneumococcal vaccine (PCV), Measles-Rubella (MR), and DPT–HepB–Hib.

Published in the Global Public Health journal, the findings indicate that vaccine wastage rates significantly exceeded both national and World Health Organization (WHO) recommended thresholds. Specifically, BCG wastage stood at 70%, MR at 58%, IPV at 31%, OPV at 28%, and PCV at 17%.

According to general guidelines for Vaccine Wastage Rates (VWR), acceptable wastage rates vary by vaccine type: 50% for BCG, 25% for reconstituted measles vaccine, 10% for OPV, 15% for liquid vaccines in multi-dose vials with 10 or more doses, and 5% for liquid vaccines in single- or two-dose vials such as PCV.

The study involved data collection from 22 health facilities and surveyed 57 health workers, alongside key informant discussions.

Researchers, led by Dr. Simon Kasasa, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, identified several factors contributing to vaccine wastage, including the use of large multi-dose vials, low turnout during community outreach sessions, cold chain failures, poor documentation practices, and limited staff training.

These findings highlight the urgent need for improved vaccine management and training to reduce wastage and enhance immunization coverage in Uganda.

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