The Paediatric Society of Ghana is urging the government to acquire more childhood immunizations since the original shipment was grossly inadequate.
According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the first shipment of childhood immunisations arrived over the weekend and will last six weeks.
Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of GHS, believes that by the time the consignment runs out, more would have arrived.
According to the President of the Paediatric Society of Ghana, Dr. John Adabie Appiah that it will take around six months to vaccinate all children who missed their immunisation.
“We need to vaccinate a larger population and make sure that the population has herd immunity before we can relax and that will take not less than six months to get to that point so six weeks is woefully inadequate due to the vaccine shortage. There are over 800 cases of measles and this is terrible. The situation is going to get worse so more needs to be done. So, we hope that more vaccines will come in to cover the rest of the year.”
The Ghana Health Service has stated that childhood vaccines would begin today, March 13, 2023.
Following months of shortage, some childhood vaccines have arrived in the country.
During a media interview, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye advised all parents to vaccinate their children.
“By Monday morning, there will be vaccination accessible for people who need it. The available dosages are sufficient for at least six weeks across the country. Therefore, on Monday, we will begin vaccinating everyone.”
On Saturday, March 11, 2023, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) received the first shipment of Measles vaccinations, BCG vaccines, and Oral Polio Vaccines.
The Ministry of Information in a Facebook post said distribution to various regions and facilities is underway.
More vaccinations are scheduled to arrive in the country in the following weeks, according to the Information Ministry.
The Ghana Health Service has acknowledged receiving a shipment of pediatric immunizations, urging caregivers to refrain from rushing to hospitals for the injections.
The Ministry of Health has made appropriate plans for the supply of vaccinations to endure the remainder of the year and beyond.
Additionally, GHS noted that the vaccines include BCG and OPV, as well as associated equipment such as needles, syringes, and safety boxes.
