Routine immunisations against Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), Tuberculosis (TB), Measles-Rubella (MR) and Polio have resumed fully in some health facilities in Accra after a nationwide shortage since the last quarter of 2022.
This follows the delivery of a consignment of the three vaccines and accompanying devices like needles, syringes and safety boxes, among others.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced the deployment of regional cold vans with consignments to the various regional cold rooms for onward delivery to the districts and facilities from March 13, 2023.
At the Oduman Polyclinic in Ablekuma, the media observed that children who attended the child welfare clinic for weighing today and were due for vaccination were immunised.
Madam Ophelia Boateng, a mother of a nine-month-old baby, whose daughter was due for vaccination against Measles today, said she was happy her daughter was vaccinated. “I did not want to bring my child to weighing today because we have heard in the news that there is no vaccine for the children, but my husband insisted that I go, and I am glad I came,” she said.
The Director-General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye, said that per the national vaccination policy, all children who missed their scheduled vaccines were still eligible for vaccination.
“We want to advise the public against buying these vaccines, the vaccines are free and can be obtained at designated health facilities and child welfare clinics across the country,” he said.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye asked caregivers not to rush for the vaccines because the Ministry of Health had made adequate provisions for every facility.
The arrival of the consignment and resumption of immunisation against the diseases will come as a relief to parents who have been concerned about their children's health since the shortage was announced in 2022.
Ghana's routine immunisation services have been commendable in the past, and the resumption will restore confidence in the health sector.
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