Gov’t to introduce law on Mandatory COVUD-19 Vaccination

By Annet Nakanwagi and Isaac Tayebwa,

HEALTH REPORT:

The minister for Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, on Thursday told parliament ministry’s plans to table amendments to the Public Health Act that will among others issues declare Covid-19 vaccination a mandatory.

“Next week, I will be laying on table amendments to the Public Health Act that will cater to a number of issues, including mandatory vaccination and also people who do not put on masks and what we can do to handle them,” she said.

The minister was responding to questions from the legislators arising from a ministerial statement on the country’s preparedness against the new Omicron variant where members were concerned about the low uptake of the Covid-19 vaccines.

She disclosed that of the 17 million doses available, only 6.9 million doses have been administered since the exercise started in March.

The deputy speaker Annet Amongi tasked the minister to explain to the house about the laws that govern vaccination in the country prompting her to reveal plans to introduce law on Mandatory vaccination.

“What law do we have on mandatory vaccination? What does it say and what is government’s plan?” Deputy Speaker Annet Among, who was chairing yesterday’s plenary, asked.

The law comes at a time when public offices including government agencies such as the National Drug Authority, the Ministry of Health are restricting access to their premises to non vaccinated people.

The proposed amendment was welcomed by a section of some legislators including those from the opposition side.

The Busiro County East Member of Parliament Medard Lubega Ssegona welcomed the amendment noting that its long overdue and will help the country hit its vaccination target.