The
Minister of Health has declared that vaccination of children between 12 to 17
years of age against COVID-19 will be voluntary and with the parent’s consent.
In March
this year, the Ministry of Health announced plans to start vaccinating all
children aged between 12 and 17 against Covid-19 to contain the pandemic. This attracted mixed reactions among the populace who thought that vaccinating
children will be mandatory.
While
addressing Journalists in Lira City on Friday, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, who
is also the Lira City Woman MP retaliated that no child will receive the
COVID-19 vaccines without their parents’, guardians’ or
caretakers’ consent.
The
Minister said although the vaccines are already available, vaccination of
children is voluntary. She added that the Ministry together with the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and
Vaccine Advisory Committee (VAC) after consultation with cabinet will inform
the public accordingly.
Eng byte:
//Cue in: “We
have vaccines…//
Cue out: …
we are not.”//
According
to Aceng, the vaccination exercise will be done during school holidays when the
children are at home with their parents for easy consent.
Eng byte:
//Cue in: “If
we are…//
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an informed decision.”//
Aceng also
called on the population to take up vaccine booster doses to increase their immunity
saying the vaccines only act for a short period of time.
Eng byte:
//Cue in: “When
the positivity…//
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be fully protected.”//
Bernard
Ongom, a resident of Adidik-gweno cell, Boke Ward in Lira City East Division is
not sure as to whether or not he will have his children vaccinated because he
is unsure of their body reaction.
Eng byte:
//Cue in: “Me
as a parent…//
Cue out: …I
am worried.”//
Cinderella
Awidi, a mother of two believes that her children are not at risk of contracting COVID-19 because they are home-schooled. But just like Bernard, Awidi is also
worried about how her children will react to the vaccines.
Eng byte:
//Cue in: “Personally
I got…//
Cue out: …
the young children.”//
In Uganda,
the number of people who have received the firsts dose of the vaccine is 73% of
those 18 years and above but the World Health Organization says a country
should not only consider the population 18 years and above but from 5 years and
above. Therefore, going by that calculation, the people who have received the first
dose are only 35% and those who have received 2 doses are only 25%.
However,
the WHO requires 70% to declare that the population of Uganda is protected.
