Government has approved the use of Astrazeneca and Sputnik- V vaccines for emergency use towards COVID-19 prevention.
An initial 350,000 doses of the vaccines are expected at the end of this month with full roll out to start in March.
With 20 million of the population targeted, Government through the Ghana Health Service and other stakeholders have assured the public of the vaccines efficacy.
Speaking at a Public Engagement on COVID-19 vaccination roll out plan in Accra, the Manager, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Kwame Amponsa-Achiano said the prioritisation of the vaccines was based on several considerations including safety and potential efficacy, cost of vaccine among others.
12,471 vaccinators will be engaged during next month’s vaccination roll out. Manager, Expanded Programme on Immunization at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Kwame Amponsah-Achiano who made this known at Ghana’s vaccine roll out in Accra also announced that training of the vaccination teams will also be undertaken.
Development of the Country’s Covid-19 vaccines deployment plan started in the latter part of last year during which consultations and several factors came to play in the choice of vaccine for the country.
Considerations for a vaccine became necessary due to the spike in covid-19 cases recorded in the country. The vaccine will therefore contribute to the reduction in Covid ill health and deaths and enhance the mental and psychological wellbeing of Ghanaians.
An open mindedness came to play in the selection of the vaccines based on local and international recommendations.
The initial vaccine list first considered were AstraZeneca, Modena, Pfizer, Sputnik- V, Sinopharm and Johnson and Johnson out of which Astrazeneca and Sputnik-V were approved for use in the country.
The Food and Drugs Authority gave regulatory approval for the vaccines.
Manager, Expanded Programme on Immunisation at the Ghana Health Service, Doctor Amponsah Achiano, highlighted distribution strategies for the vaccine.
This will be based on segmentation of the population into four groups. The initial target population will be health workers, persons with underlying conditions, security personnel among others.
Dr Amponsa-Achiano stressed that strict monitoring and evaluation will be done with the ultimate goal of protecting the people.