Egypt’s health ministry is set to launch a free national campaign in October 2026 targeting 21 million children to strengthen community immunity against measles and rubella, ensuring the country maintains its measles-free status.
Egypt’s health ministry is preparing to launch a free national campaign in October 2026 to vaccinate children against measles and rubella, in a move officials say is intended to strengthen protection against infectious disease and preserve the country’s measles-free status.
The campaign will use the MR vaccine and is expected to reach about 21 million children aged from nine months to 10 years, according to reports from Cairo24, Masrawy and Youm7. The drive will cover children across all governorates and will include both Egyptian and non-Egyptian children living in Egypt, the reports said.
Health officials have said the vaccination will be available at no cost and will not require documents or paperwork, a step designed to make access easier for families. According to the Cairo Directorate of Health, teams will be deployed in schools, nurseries and designated vaccination points attached to health districts to reach as many eligible children as possible.
The ministry has framed the campaign as part of a broader public health effort to reinforce community immunity and prevent renewed spread of the two diseases. Youm7 reported that the initiative comes after the World Health Organisation announced in November 2022 that Egypt had eliminated endemic transmission of measles and rubella.
Authorities have also set out the main situations in which the vaccine may be delayed or avoided. The ministry has said children with a severe allergy to a previous dose, those with significant immune deficiency or those receiving immune-suppressing treatment should not receive the jab without medical advice. Vaccination may also be postponed if a child has a moderate or severe acute illness, particularly if they have a fever.
The Ministry of Health has urged parents and carers to take advantage of the campaign and to follow the official vaccination schedule. It has also made available a hotline, 105, for enquiries about the campaign, eligible age groups and vaccination sites.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
