The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service are embarking on a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination exercise starting May 5 to May 9, 2024.
This is coming at a time when COVID-19 cases in Ghana seem to be on the rise.
“As part of measures to ensure that we attain immunity for the country, GHS and its partners have started the 10th National COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign today, 5th May to 9th May 2024. Teams will be moving to communities and homes to vaccinate eligible people,” the Ghana Health Service stated.
Statistics from the World Health Organisation show Ghana has recorded 112 new COVID-19 cases as of May 6, 2024, which is an increase from the earlier reported figure of 31 by the Ghana Health Service.
Globally, a total of 13.59 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered and according to the WHO data, the percentage of the total population vaccinated with a complete primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine as of November 26, 2023, is 67% while 32% received boosters.
In Ghana, 25.62 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered since March 2, 2021. The percentage of the total population vaccinated with a complete primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine is 35 and 15 received boosters.
The Ghana Food and Drugs Authority has said that the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines are minor, which include chills, feeling feverish, tenderness, warmth pain or swelling where the injection is given, headache, joint or muscle ache, tiredness, and generally feeling unwell.
“Most of these common side effects are signs of the body’s normal immune response triggered by the vaccines. They are typically seen with most types of vaccines and tend to resolve within a day or two. The vaccines will not give you COVID-19,” the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority said.
By: Gifty Tracy Aminu
