Dr. Kwame Amponsa-Achiano
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has begun the administration of a one-dose cholera vaccine in three sub-districts of Awutu Senya East in the Central Region.
The campaign with support from UNICEF, is set to conclude on December 3, 2024, targeting 150,634 people to vaccinate in the three sub-districts.
Ghana has experienced a cholera outbreak across four regions in the last 6 weeks. So far, data from the GHS shows that out of 2,385 suspected cases, 196 cases were confirmed, and 21 deaths reported.
As of November 27th, the Central Region had recorded 1,016 suspected cholera cases, with 77 confirmed cases and nine deaths.
Programme Manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunization at GHS, Dr. Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, explaining the rational for the exercise said Awutu Senya was prioritised for vaccination because it accounted for over half of the suspected cholera cases.
Dr. Amponsa-Achiano also indicated that the vaccination campaign would be extended to the Ga South, Ada, and the Western Region as more vaccines were delivered to the GHS.
He emphasised that the oral cholera vaccine is safe, effective, and will help reduce transmission by boosting immunity in the population, alongside other cholera prevention measures.
World Health Organization’s Representative to Ghana, Dr. Frank John Lule, said cholera is a stark reminder of social inequities and underdevelopment.
Although Dr. Lule acknowledged the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, he stressed that the long-term solution to controlling cholera and other fecal-oral diseases lay in economic development, as well as ensuring universal access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation.
He urged all eligible individuals in the affected areas to take advantage of the vaccination campaign and called on healthcare workers to strictly adhere to cholera infection prevention and control protocols.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has advised the public to drink only treated water, eat food that has been well-cooked or properly handled, and avoid close contact with infected individuals.
It is also crucial to practice good hygiene by washing hands with soap and running water, ensuring proper disposal of feces, and seeking immediate medical care if experiencing severe diarrhea and vomit.
A Daily Guide Report