Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng issued a heartfelt appeal to Ugandans, warning that the nation’s hard-won public health victories are under threat — not from disease, but from misinformation about vaccines.
“Fellow Ugandans, vaccines are safe. Vaccines save lives. They remain one of the most effective tools we have in public health,” Dr. Aceng declared.
Uganda’s history bears witness to the transformative impact of vaccination. From the global eradication of smallpox to the near-elimination of polio in the country, immunisation campaigns have changed generations’ lives. Dr. Aceng attributed this success to decades of consistent vaccination campaigns, international partnerships, and community trust.
Today, Ugandan children are protected from deadly yet preventable diseases including measles, tetanus, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and diarrheal infections. However, Dr. Aceng warned that progress is fragile.
“False information and myths about vaccines are spreading quickly, especially on social media. This creates unnecessary fear and puts our children at risk of diseases we have worked so hard to defeat,” she said.
One of the most persistent myths — the alleged link between vaccines and autism — has been repeatedly debunked.
“Autism is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, not vaccination. This claim has been researched, studied, and disproven several times,” the Minister stressed.
Health experts note that misinformation can be as dangerous as the diseases themselves. When parents hesitate or refuse to vaccinate their children, entire communities are left vulnerable to preventable outbreaks. For a nation that has invested heavily in immunisation, the stakes could not be higher.
Dr. Aceng reminded Ugandans that protecting children’s health is central to securing the country’s future.
“Every child in Uganda deserves protection. Every child deserves to live to their full potential. Every child deserves to be healthy. Let us guard our progress. Take your children for vaccination on time, and together, let us stand against fear and misinformation,” she urged.
Closing her address, the Minister emphasized that vaccines are not only a tool for health but also a foundation for Uganda’s future.
“Uganda’s future depends on the health of its children. Our future is safer and brighter with vaccines,” she concluded, underlining that the fight against disease is inseparable from the fight against ignorance.
