Dr Annet Kisakye Honoured for Transformative Work in Immunization

Kampala, Uganda– The Authorities of Uganda by Ministry of Correctly being (MOH) has recognised Dr Annet Kisakye, the World Correctly being Organization (WHO) National Authentic Officer (Routine Immunization) for her outstanding contributions to improving immunization providers in Uganda. 

The award used to be introduced to Dr Kisakye by Dr Sania Nishtar, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance on 19 November 2024 in Kampala. This used to be during the celebration of fifty years of Uganda’s Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).

With over 15 years of journey at WHO, Dr Kisakye has equipped technical guidance and reinforce to MOH in loads of areas including strengthening routine immunization, introducing new vaccines, the polio eradication initiative, eliminating measles, strengthening surveillance, eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus including outbreak and pandemic response activities amongst others. Her work has instantly contributed to preventing disease outbreaks and saving lives by vaccination in the nation.

Dr Kisakye performed a pivotal role in a marketing campaign to place lives against Cholera infection when the nation started vaccinating the of us living in 13 hotspot districts as phase of the national integrated comprehensive cholera prevention and maintain watch over notion 2017/18-2021/22. Since then, no outbreaks gain been registered in these districts. 

The recognition, according to Dr Kisakye, is a testomony to the collective efforts of many devoted individuals, companions, and communities committed to improving public health. She feels inspired to continue striving for a extra healthy future for all Ugandans.

Dr Kisakye supported the roll out of the Ebola vaccine in Uganda in 2018. She used to be a co-Principal Investigator, supervising over 100 of us in the mountainous, pressing effort. Here’s in line with the existence direction near as stipulated in the Immunization Agenda 2030. The roll out required like a flash vaccination of 6,805 at-possibility health workers in 13 districts between November 2018 and September 2019, racing against time to present protection against Ebola Zaire species before any importation.

“We furthermore had to isolate and computer screen four health workers on the border for symptoms of suspected Ebola virus disease, to close doable transmission. All were already vaccinated, however it used to be tranquil a worrying time for them. No one died or grew to develop into seriously in unhappy health, illustrating clearly that vaccines work and place lives,” says Dr Kisakye.

The recognition, according to Dr Kisakye, is a testomony to the collective efforts of many devoted individuals, companions, and communities committed to improving public health. She feels inspired to continue striving for a extra healthy future for all Ugandans, in particular in this generation where vaccine hesitancy—a notorious international possibility—is contributing to the resurgence of vaccine-preventable ailments equivalent to measles. 

Dr Kisakye’s heart aches when she sees a toddler suffering from a vaccine-preventable disease, in particular when vaccines and these to administer them are readily readily accessible. She advocates for Innovations to vaccinate all eligible persons.

A clinical physician with a grasp’s stage in public health, Dr Annet Kisakye ran clinical wards in public and personal hospitals in Kampala before joining WHO. She began working as Uganda’s Immunization and Surveillance Officer, expanding her portfolio over time to include a range of vaccine preventable ailments and Integrated Illness Surveillance and Response. 

Congratulations to Dr Kisakye!

The WHO household proudly celebrates her demanding-earned award, honouring the loads of contribution to the health sector during the final two decades and beyond.