Head teachers in Mukono district are in dilemma as parents protest vaccination of their children against covid-19 at schools.
School head teachers claim receiving instructions from district authorities to prepare children for vaccination at School but parents are bitter and opposed to it.
Sister Rose Basemera of St Agnes Catholic Boarding Primary School, Naggalama Mukono district reveals emphasizing the importance of vaccination of children to parents but several are still hesitant to the campaign.
“Some parents say that the vaccine will injure their children as they see on social media, but it seems it’s a total lie, this vaccine is not harmful because I was vaccinated and did not get any problem.” Sr Basemera noted.
Mary Josephine Nabuyungo, the Head Teacher St Joseph Mixed Primary School Naggalama says that in her school 50 percent of the parents have allowed their children to be vaccinated but others have resisted the process.
“Health team from the district taught us about this campaign, and urged us not to vaccinate any children without parents’ consent, and that’s what we are doing right now. We appeal to the government carry out more sensitization among parents and teachers because many of them are decampaigning the program.” Nabuyongo says.
Dr. Vincent Bwete, the Head of Directors Naggalama Hospital says that parents have always been hesitant on several immunization campaigns including polio, now covid-19 among others. They put up several misconceptions including their children getting barren.
Dr. Bwete has encouraged all Ugandan’s that Covid 19 vaccine has no negative outcomes, because his children were also immunized.
However, Mukono LCV Chairperson, Rev Peter Bakaluba Mukasa has advised all head teachers not to temper with forceful vaccination of children without the consent from their parents.
Hilda Mubiru, a 17-year-old student says that it’s their right to health, so their parents should allow them to be vaccinated because this is for their benefit and the betterment of their life in future.
“It’s our right to access medication. Our parents should not be a stumbling block towards this campaign, the government is doing it for our own good.
Joshua Kisawuzi Communication officer from Initiative for Social and Economic Rights, they are in total support for the children to be vaccinated because it helps to fight corona virus and it’s also one of the right for the children to get good health and medication.
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