The Ghana Health Service (GHS) Western Regional Directorate has so far given around 290,000 doses of the cholera vaccine, out of a total of 641,851, to individuals who are one year of age or older during the first two days of its campaign.
There are four designated hotspot regions in the region where the campaign is being implemented.
Beginning on Sunday, December 15, and ending on Thursday, December 29, 2024, the program aims to provide immunity and protection against cholera illnesses to people of the municipalities of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Effia-Kwesimintsim, Shama, and Ahanta West.
Dr. Nana Yaw Ofori Yeboah, the Western Regional Director of the GHS, stated that everyone aged one and above, with the exception of pregnant women, was eligible to receive the vaccinations.
He urged the targeted folks to take part in the activity in order to help stop the spread of cholera in the area, stating that vaccines were safe and did not cause any health issues.
“The vaccination team would visit homes, schools, churches, mosques, workplaces, markets, and other vantage points, including healthcare facilities, as part of strategies to ensure they met their target,” he said.
According to recent reports, the cholera outbreak in the Western area has been getting worse, with 1,633 cases reported so far and roughly 15 fatalities.
In addition to the vaccination program, health officials have implemented a number of other steps, such as prohibiting food vendors from selling vegetables, to stop the disease’s spread.
This came after Environmental Surveillance studies showed that food sellers were responsible for around 96% of cholera cases, especially when infected vegetables were sold.
Source: newsthemegh.com