Ten schools in Luweero district are currently under investigation for obstructing health workers from vaccinating students against yellow fever. These schools include Mama’s Child Primary School in Wobulenzi town, Bugema Seventh Day Adventist Primary and Secondary Schools, Kisa Primary School, and Ristak Primary and Secondary Schools in Busiika town council, among others.
The Ministry of Health, with support from partners, initiated a mass vaccination campaign across 53 districts from April 2nd to April 8th, aiming to eliminate yellow fever from Uganda. In Luwero district, 201 health teams have been deployed across 101 parishes to vaccinate both students in schools and residents aged 1 to 60 years old. The district aims to vaccinate 450,000 individuals out of the projected 559,000 population.
However, health workers have encountered resistance in some schools, with reports of attacks on those administering vaccines without parental consent. At Kikube Health Center II in Butuntumula sub-county, parents attacked health workers who vaccinated a child without prior consent. Some parents expressed concerns about potential adverse effects of the vaccine on their children.
Dr. Innocent Nkonwa, the Luwero District Health Officer, stated that health workers faced obstruction in ten schools. These cases have been referred to the District Security Committee, and headteachers are required to explain their resistance to the government’s vaccination program. Nkonwa clarified that neither schools nor health workers require parental consent to administer vaccines, citing the Public Health Act.
Richard Bwabye, the Luwero District Resident District Commissioner, condemned the schools’ actions and vowed to hold headteachers accountable for violating the Public Health Act. However, some headteachers, like Steven Bukenya of Bugema SDA Secondary School, denied obstructing vaccination efforts and expressed readiness to support the campaign.
James Kasawuli Musoke, headteacher of Quality Model Primary School, recounted an incident where a parent threatened him with physical violence upon discovering that their child had been vaccinated without consent. Despite intimidation from parents, Musoke ensured the completion of the vaccination exercise.
Several headteachers expressed willingness to collaborate with health workers but emphasized the need to inform parents beforehand. Daniel Kyaterekera, the District Secretary for Education, highlighted headteachers’ concerns about potential legal repercussions if students experience adverse effects from the vaccine. He also noted insufficient sensitization of headteachers regarding the vaccination campaign.
Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted through mosquito bites, causing symptoms such as fever, jaundice, and bleeding from various body openings.
