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[00:00.14] The East African country of Uganda has begun a nationwide yellow fever vaccination campaign.

[00:09.67] The aim is for the country to protect its population against the viral disease.

[00:16.93] Yellow fever is spread by insects called mosquitoes.

[00:21.69] Dr. Michael Baganizi is an official in charge of immunization at the health ministry.

[00:31.96] By the end of April, Ugandan officials had vaccinated 12.2 of the 14 million people targeted, he said.

[00:43.22] Baganizi added that Uganda will now require everyone traveling to and from the country to have a yellow fever vaccination card.

[00:55.74] Ugandan officials hope the requirement will push more people to get the yellow fever shot. Many people in Uganda have concerns about getting the vaccine.

[01:08.77] That worries health care providers.

[01:12.53] The vaccine involves one injection. It is available at no cost to Ugandans between the ages of one and 60.

[01:23.80] There are vaccination centers in the capital, Kampala. Places offering the vaccine include schools, universities, hospitals, and local government buildings.

[01:39.58] The Associated Press (AP) reports that, before the current campaign, Ugandans usually paid $27 to get the yellow fever vaccination at private health centers.

[01:56.14] Uganda has more than 45 million people. It is one of 27 countries in Africa that is considered at “high risk” for yellow fever outbreaks.

[02:10.42] The World Health Organization (WHO) says there are about 200,000 cases and 30,000 deaths around the world from the disease.

[02:25.47] Uganda’s most recent outbreak was reported earlier this year in the central areas of Buikwe and Buvuma.

[02:35.99] Yellow fever is caused by a virus spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes.

[02:43.50] Most infections do not have symptoms.

[02:48.04] The WHO says symptoms can include a high body temperature, muscle pain, head pain, loss of willingness to eat, upset stomach, and vomiting.

[03:02.31] Uganda’s vaccination program is part of a worldwide effort launched in 2017 to eliminate yellow fever by 2026.

[03:15.09] That goal was set by the WHO and its partners such as the U.N. children’s agency.

[03:24.11] The aim is to protect almost one billion people in Africa and in North and South America.

[03:32.88] Last year, a study said that 185 million people in high-risk African countries had been vaccinated by August 2022.

[03:45.90] In Uganda, most people get the yellow fever vaccination when they are traveling to countries such as South Africa.

[03:55.70] South Africa requires proof of vaccination upon arrival in the country.

[04:03.72] James Odite is a nurse working at a private hospital, which also is a vaccination center in an area of Kampala.

[04:13.49] He told the AP that hundreds of shots remained unused after the yellow fever vaccination campaign closed.

[04:23.76] They might be used in a future mass campaign.

[04:28.27] Some people wonder if “the government wants to give them expired vaccines,” Odite said.

[04:34.29] Baganizi said Uganda’s government has spent money on community “sensitization” programs.

[04:45.56] In these programs, officials tell people that vaccines save lives.