Kampala, Uganda– The Government of Uganda through Ministry of Health (MOH) has recognised Dr Annet Kisakye, the World Health Organization (WHO) National Professional Officer (Routine Immunization) for her outstanding contributions to improving immunization services in Uganda. 

The award was presented to Dr Kisakye by Dr Sania Nishtar, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance on 19 November 2024 in Kampala. This was during the celebration of 50 years of Uganda’s Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).

With over 15 years of experience at WHO, Dr Kisakye has provided technical guidance and support to MOH in several 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 among others. Her work has directly contributed to preventing disease outbreaks and saving lives through vaccination in the country.

Dr Kisakye played a pivotal role in a campaign to save lives against Cholera infection when the country started vaccinating the people living in 13 hotspot districts as part of the national integrated comprehensive cholera prevention and control plan 2017/18-2021/22. Since then, no outbreaks have been registered in those districts. 

The recognition, according to Dr Kisakye, is a testament to the collective efforts of many dedicated individuals, partners, and communities committed to improving public health. She feels inspired to continue striving for a healthier future for all Ugandans.

Dr Kisakye supported the roll out of the Ebola vaccine in Uganda in 2018. She was a co-Principal Investigator, supervising over 100 people in the huge, urgent effort. This is in line with the life course approach as stipulated in the Immunization Agenda 2030. The roll out required rapid vaccination of 6,805 at-risk health workers in 13 districts between November 2018 and September 2019, racing against time to offer protection against Ebola Zaire species before any importation.

“We also had to isolate and monitor four health workers on the border for symptoms of suspected Ebola virus disease, to prevent potential transmission. All were already vaccinated, but it was still a worrying time for them. No one died or became seriously ill, illustrating clearly that vaccines work and save lives,” says Dr Kisakye.

The recognition, according to Dr Kisakye, is a testament to the collective efforts of many dedicated individuals, partners, and communities committed to improving public health. She feels inspired to continue striving for a healthier future for all Ugandans, especially in this era where vaccine hesitancy—a well-known global threat—is contributing to the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles. 

Dr Kisakye’s heart aches when she sees a child suffering from a vaccine-preventable disease, especially when vaccines and those to administer them are readily available. She advocates for Innovations to vaccinate all eligible persons.

A medical doctor with a master’s degree in public health, Dr Annet Kisakye ran medical wards in public and private 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 diseases and Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response. 

Congratulations to Dr Kisakye!

The WHO family proudly celebrates her well-deserved award, honouring the significant contribution to the health sector over the past 20 years and beyond.