By Melanie Aanyu,

First Lady Janet Museveni has advised the Ministry of Health to make Covid-19 vaccination for children below 18 years optional.

Responding to questions raised during a press conference at State House Nakasero yesterday, Ms Museveni, who is also the Education and Sports minister, said the decision of vaccinating children against Covid-19 should be left to parents.

However, the State Minister for Education in charge of Primary Education, Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu, who was also present, informed the First Lady that the Ministry of Health had a discussion and press statements weeks ago, saying they were planning to vaccinate all children between the ages of five and 17 against Covid.

Dr Kaducu said vaccinating the age bracket had not been made compulsory as the ministries of Education and Health were still holding discussions about the issue.

A cross section of health experts have urged government to go slow on vaccinating children to avoid grave effects that the vaccines might have on their health.

She said a recent sero-survey indicates that the Covid risk prevalence in children is not different from that of the adults, except the risk of death.