U.S. Ambassador Stephanie Sullivan speaking at the event
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has taken delivery of one million doses of Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine donated by the US government through the COVAX facility.
The vaccine doses bring to 5.3 million, the number of vaccines the country has received from the US government in support of its Covid-19 vaccination activity.
U.S. Ambassador Stephanie Sullivan handing over the consignment to the Ghanaian authorities said, the US has strongly supported Ghana’s Covid-19 response efforts since the first case of the infection was reported in the country.
“Now is the time for Ghanaians to get their jabs. The vaccines, donated on behalf of the American people, are here,” she said.
Ambassador Sullivan assured that the doses are the same safe and effective vaccines used in the United States. “We can beat this pandemic together, but it starts with each eligible person getting their jab,” she urged.
Chairman of the Health Commodities Group for COVID-19 at the Ministry of Health (MOH) Matthew Kyeremeh, who received the donation, thanked the US government for the continues support to the containment of the Covid-19 pandemic in Ghana.
He said the country had enough vaccines to vaccinate more people and therefore admonished the public to visit vaccination centres to receive the jabs to avoid vaccine wastage.
UNICEF Country Representative, Anne-Claire Dufay, said the vaccines would support the country’s renewed campaign to increase the number of people vaccinated against Covid-19 in December.
“Ghana now has a significant quantity of vaccines, and more are on the way, more than seven percent of the population has been fully vaccinated with two doses, and 21 percent with a single dose,” she noted.
Ms Dufay said UNICEF would continue working closely with the government and all key actors in combating the pandemic.
“Covid-19 remains a very real and present threat. In just a few weeks, many of us will be gathering with our friends and family to celebrate the festive season, the vaccine will protect you and your loved ones,” she said.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri