KAMPALA, Feb. 6. (Xinhua) -- Uganda is in the advanced stages of introducing oral cholera vaccine, health minister Jane Ruth Aceng said Tuesday.

The introduction of oral vaccine will complement provision of clean water, sound sanitation and hygiene in cholera hotspots, she said.

The government has unveiled plans to roll out the rotavirus vaccine this year. The vaccine is used to protect children under one year from diarrheal diseases, which are among the leading direct causes of infant mortality in Uganda, the minister said.

"No young child should die of diarrhea. Diarrheal diseases can be prevented. The introduction of the rotavirus vaccine will go a long way in curbing infant mortality due to diarrheal diseases," she added. Enditem