Vaccine sceptic, stereotypes threatening immunisation efforts

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Despite efforts by health experts to educate mothers about the importance of immunising children, some parents remain sceptical citing concerns about vaccine safety.

Some mothers claim that certain vaccines can cause autism and early menstruation in girls.

However, Dr Night Ashura, the in-charge of Kisugu Health Centre III at Namuwongo, says all vaccines are safe and prevent diseases, emphasising that children need to be immunised up to five years to prevent severe illnesses that can lead to disability or death.

“All these allegations are misconceptions. It is not true that vaccination causes autism. Our vaccines are always safe, effective and foil preventable diseases. It is also not true that vaccination causes early menses in girls,” she says.

Chelangat Abigail, a midwife helps Robert Kavuma, president of Rotary Club of Kisugu Victoria to give a child polio drops as her mother looks on during the vaccination exercise at Kisugu Health Centre III at Namuwongo. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)

In addition, Ashura reveals that, “When you get a girl who has already started menses at eight years, it may be due to hormonal imbalance, but not attributed to vaccination. On the issue about the recent outbreaks of measles, we have done outreaches and a mass campaign for measles and vaccinated all the affected areas.”

Dr Night Ashura, in charge of Kisugu health Centre iii at Namuwongo addressing journalists during the vaccination exercise at Kisugu Health Centre III at Namuwongo. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)

To reduce the burden of hospitalisation and increase the immunity of children against life-threatening diseases, Ashura advised mothers to ensure that children receive all the immunisation doses during the scheduled visits.

“Immunisation starts immediately after birth, followed by vaccinations at six weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, six months, nine months, and at two years, up to the age of five,” revealed Ashura.

She made the clarification during the vaccination campaign focusing on ending polio held at Kisugu Health Centre III at Namuwongo in Kampala city on November 10, 2025.

Since Rotary International pledged to eliminate polio in countries including Uganda, Rotary Club of Kisugu Victoria view not only created awareness about the importance of immunisation, but also advised mothers to always ensure that they attend the scheduled immunisation without fail.

World Polio Day is commemorated on October 24, and this year, it was held under the theme: One Day One Focus: Ending Polio.

“We are grateful to partner with Kisugu Victoria View Rotary Club. We always appreciate your initiatives and support for the communities. Today, we shall not only vaccinate the babies, but also give health education to the mothers,” stated Ashura.

The president of the Rotary Club of Kisugu Victoria View, Robert Kavuma, said that, during October, Rotary clubs raise awareness about polio, a disease that should be eradicated in today’s world.

Kavuma explained, “As Rotarians, we are committed to ending polio. Though we encourage mothers to take their children for immunisation, it is also vital for fathers to be involved in the process. When men support their partners, more mothers are likely to turn up.”

Since vaccines are free of charge, Kavuma said, it is absurd to see a child crippled by polio when all it takes is two drops of vaccine. Adding that, there is no reason why parents should decline to take their children for vaccination.

During the immunisation of the polio vaccine, Anita Gift Nkiriza said, she was planning to skip some new vaccines because she thought they were unsafe.

“However, I thank doctors for educating us about the importance of routine vaccination and also confirming that all vaccines are safe. I have been hearing people saying that some vaccines administered to children are expired and cause autism.” Nkiriza stated.