Madam Gertrude Yentumi addressing participants at the 2022 Review Meeting of the Municipal Health Directorate in Damongo
The West Gonja Municipal Health Director, Madam Gertrude Yentumi, has disclosed that the municipality has recorded 35 suspected measles cases across 13 communities.
According to her, 77% of the affected children were not vaccinated due to the shortage of the measles vaccine.
At the 2022 Review Meeting of the Municipal Health Directorate held in Damongo, the Municipal Health Director indicated that the shortage of EPI vaccines has contributed to low EPI coverages in the municipality.
“The danger of the shortages is that a lot of affected children will be in our communities, presenting fertile grounds for re-emergence of communicable diseases, but I am aware that leadership is working hard to get these vaccines for us,” she stated.
There has been shortage of measles vaccines across the country in recent times.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health (MoH)/Ghana Health Service (GHS), has announced that it has taken delivery of some childhood vaccines that have been in short supply in the country.
A statement signed by the Director-General, Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, disclosed that it received some doses of BCG, OPV, and measles vaccines with accompanying devices.
The statement further disclosed that the regional cold vans have been deployed with consignments to their various regional cold rooms for onward delivery to the districts and facilities from March 13, 2023.
“The service would like to remind the public that per the National Vaccination Policy, all children who missed their scheduled vaccines are still eligible for vaccination,” it stated.
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service advised the public against buying the vaccines, adding that the vaccines are free and can be obtained at designated health facilities and all Child Welfare Clinics across the country.
“We entreat all caregivers not to rush for the vaccines since the Ministry of Health has made adequate provisions for vaccines for the rest of the year and beyond,” it added.
FROM Eric Kombat, Damongo