Landless People's Movement Member of Parliament Eneas Emvula has raised concerns in the National Assembly about reports that some schools have already begun administering the human papillomavirus vaccine to girls aged nine to 14, ahead of the Ministry of Education's officially scheduled vaccination campaign set for June to July.
Emvula addressed his inquiry to the ministers of Health and Education, citing allegations from parents and community members that the HPV vaccine was already being administered in certain schools without clear communication or proper consent processes.
He urged Dr. Esperance Luvindao to publicly reaffirm that parents have the right to choose whether or not their daughters receive the vaccine.
"Because a lot has been said in the outside world, Uganda to be specific, as well as regionally, about the dangers of this vaccine to young women when they grow up, especially when they try to conceive."
In response, Dr. Luvindao reiterated the ministry has not yet started their HPV vaccine campaign officially.
She called on Emvula to submit the names of any schools where vaccinations may have prematurely taken place, stating that the ministry treats such claims with the utmost seriousness.
"In cabinet we had a conversation with Her Excellency where we were directed to go back and first educate the community prior to the commencement of vaccination, and so therefore, I once again wish to state that it is not an attack, but if you have the right information to say 'these schools have started vaccinating,' we will take it up with the utmost seriousness. My colleague, the Minister of Education, and I are not aware that the vaccination has commenced."
She also sought to dispel persistent misinformation about the vaccine, emphasising that the HPV vaccine does not cause infertility, a concern often cited by skeptics.
According to Dr. Luvindao, the vaccine has been available in Namibia since 2007, but previously only through the private healthcare sector, accessible mainly to those with medical aid coverage.