The Parliament in Uganda has thrown out a proposed health law to make vaccines mandatory for all adults in the event of a mass disease outbreak.
The ministry of health intended the bill to tackle emerging health threats like haemorrhagic fevers. They wanted violators to be fined up to $1,045 or face a six-month jail term.
MPs however, raised concerns about the rights of individuals to choose, and questioned who would take liability for vaccine side-effects.
The country is struggling to meet its target of vaccinating 22 million people or about half its population, against Covid-19.
Periodic vaccination of children against communicable diseases remains mandatory but in the cases of new emerging diseases, the permission of their parents is required.