When the coronavirus first threatened to disrupt health systems in Uganda in 2020, the challenge was insufficient supply of COVID-19 commodities, vaccines and other treatments. 

The east African country was strained as it rationed inadequate COVID-19 supplies and prioritized vaccination of particular populations over others. 

But, increasingly, Uganda faces another challenge. The lack of demand for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. 

As of today, only 12.9 million Ugandans (or 29%) are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 out of a target of 44.3, according to ministry of health statistics.

About 6.4 million people (15%) of the target population are partially immunised (or have received one dose). Only 6% of young people between 12 and 17 years have been vaccinated.  

“Few Ugandans have been vaccinated against COVID-19 because few Ugandans are demanding for these vaccines, not because the vaccines aren’t available,” said Stuart Ssebibubbu, activist at the coalition for health promotion and social development (or HEPS-Uganda).
 
“We have to change this,” he said, calling Ugandans to take COVID-19 jabs. 

Initially, Uganda prioritized COVID-19 vaccination for elderly persons above 50 years, soldiers, health workers and persons with preexisting comorbidities such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension. 

As vaccines became available, the country started to inoculate all folks 18 years and above. Today, it is also immunising young people between 12 and 17 years. 

But there are challenges leading to low vaccination uptake. 

The commonest is the feeling in most of the public that the worst of the pandemic has passed.  

A survey by HEPS-Uganda shows that five in 10 Ugandans aren’t motivated to take COVID-19 vaccines because they think the pandemic isn’t a threat anymore. 

Yet others think COVID-19 is a conspiracy. They think that the pandemic isn’t real and that available vaccines don’t work. 

A VAX-Uganda report also shows that 48% of the population haven’t taken COVID-19 vaccines because they doubt their safety while 55% worried about their side effects. 
 
But Dr Alfred Driwale, manager of the immunisation program at the ministry of health, said this isn’t true. 

“It’s not true that COVID-19 isn’t a threat anymore,” he said. “We still have cases (Uganda registered about 61 positives in March this year).” 

“Like we have seen in China and recently in India (where the pandemic is ravaging health systems), this virus has shown that it can mutate and bounce back.” 

“This is why we are encouraging all Ugandans to go and get vaccinated,” said Driwale. “We do not want the virus to bounce back when we are not prepared.” 

It’s also not true that these vaccines don’t work. 

“COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Science has shown us,” said Driwale.    

“People (across the world) have been taking these vaccines for more than two years now, have you heard anyone die?” he said. “On the other hand, the vaccines have helped us (and the world) to control the pandemic.” 

“Yes, the vaccines can have some side effects, like any other medicines, but they are effective.”  

Importance of vaccination 

According to the WHO, immunisation is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions and improving global vaccine coverage could save an additional 1.5 million lives per year.

Vaccines work by inducing immune responses which can recognize and fight disease-causing organisms. 

Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, director of public health at the Ministry of Health, said they have procured 10 million doses to vaccinate eligible populations. 

“We have all the vaccines. Moderna, Pfizer, Janssen’s Johnson & Johnson, Oxford’s AstraZeneca etc,” said Kyabayinze. 

“All of them (vaccines) are free and people can access them at all public health facilities.” 

“We want people to come and take them so that we can procure others,” said Kyabayinze during a talk show at Radio Simba. 

He said the country’s target was to vaccinate at least 70% of the population so that “we can improve their immunity” against this virus. 

“We are calling individuals who have not been vaccinated to come and get vaccinated. Those who have received one dose to come for the second dose,” he said.  

Kyabayinze said those who are fully vaccinated can take booster vaccines.
 
He said pregnant women can be vaccinated after the first trimester (or first 12 weeks of pregnancy) and that the jabs were safe in breast feeding mothers. 

He said the ministry was working with schools to vaccinate young people between 12 and 17 years against the virus.
 
The ministry would continue to prioritize elderly persons above 50 years, soldiers, health workers and persons with existing comorbidities.  

“We are doing our part,” he said. “We want you to come and do your part. Come vaccinate against COVID-19.”