The arrival in the country yesterday of one of the consignments of COVID-19 vaccines was deservedly given a front burner treatment in both the local and international media.
Ghanaians were even treated to a live programme on one of the local TV stations to herald the arrival of the 600,000 of the welcome interventions.
It is an exciting moment in our fight against the deadly virus for which we are grateful to all the actors who have supported the government to make this possible.
A few persons have frowned upon what for them is an unnecessary hype of the arrival of the vaccines.
In a democratic dispensation all are entitled to their opinions. We at the DAILY GUIDE think that the fruition of an arrangement to have Ghana take its turn in the vaccine allocation (the first in Africa) at a time when many countries are longing to be so blessed is worth the excitement.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) under the direction of Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus deserve a special mention for thinking out and implementing the COVAX module which has made it possible for victims of vaccine nationalism to now lay hands on the critical preventive interventions.
At a time when some countries given their privileged positions have in their supply chain quantities of the vaccine in excess of their real demand, it was morally wrong to ignore the predicament of countries such as ours on the other hemisphere.
Now that we have been empowered to protect ourselves with the vaccines, we want to see the rollout programme implemented for the good of citizens.
A rollout programme such as managers of the vaccine disbursement and administration have put out on the public space is commendable.
Barring challenges that could erupt on the grounds, the vaccine rollout being a novelty somewhat in terms of reach and volume, it could encounter a few surmountable hurdles.
We cannot think about a mass vaccination programme of the magnitude of the COVAX vaccines in the country in our post-independence history.
It behooves all to be patient and to render the necessary support to the managers of the vaccination for a successful exercise.
The likelihood of a rush by persons who do not fall in the first category of beneficiaries is something managers should expect in some places.
The National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), the Information Services Department (ISD) and the media should be engaged to embark upon education of the citizenry about the vaccine.
With the eventual goal of a herd vaccination being what we envisage, such education is necessary, some Ghanaians having been fed negative stories about the vaccines.
We have already heard the Food and Drugs Authority’s (FDA) endorsement of the vaccines, an assurance which should dispel apprehensions being harboured by some.
Some social posts have fueled the apprehensions being entertained by some persons. We cannot query such anxieties; those not too sure whether to take the jab or not require education about the vaccines.
Convincing the vaccine doubters is crucial if the necessary herd vaccination goal is to be achieved.