KAMPALA, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's ministry of health said Wednesday starting next week all newborn babies will be immunized with the rotavirus vaccine free of charge to protect them against diarrhea.

Vivian Nakalika, the ministry's spokesperson told Xinhua that on June 26, the vaccination will be officially unveiled and it will be included in the routine national immunization schedule.

"People have been paying a lot of money. With the rollout, the public will be able to access the vaccine free of charge in all public health facilities," she said.

Rotavirus diarrhea accounts for almost 40 percent of diarrheal cases in Uganda and an estimated over 10,000 children below 5 years of age die each year, according to the ministry of health.

The World Health Organization says rotaviruses are the most common cause of severe diarrheal diseases in young children throughout the world.

The global health body recommends that rotavirus vaccine for infants should be included in all national immunization programs.

Health experts believe the introduction of the vaccine will go a long way in reducing infant mortality in Uganda.