By Michael Kofi Kenetey
The Acting Director of the Centre for Laboratory Services and Research at the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Pharm. Patrick Owusu-Danso has assured the public of the safety of vaccines, adding that vaccines pass through rigorous clinical testing to ensure safety before coming out to the public for use.
He said vaccines are ensured to meet safety standards and guidelines for vaccine regulation before coming out for use, hence assuring the public of their safety when they take any vaccine vetted and approved by the FDA.
Pharm. Owusu-Danso was speaking during a two-day training for selected journalists across the country in Accra on vaccine communication and advocacy organized by the National Vaccine Institute, NVI, in collaboration with the African Media and Malaria Research Network, AMMREN, and the Ghana Health Service, GHS.
He mentioned protection of the health and safety of Ghanaians and also being a global centre of excellence for food and medical product regulation as the vision of the FDA.
As a result, his outfit will never compromise on anything that will undermine the safety of Ghanaians. Pharm. Owusu-Danso noted that the FDA exists to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of human and veterinary drugs, food and biological products, cosmetics, medical devices, household chemical substances, and clinical trials, and also the control of tobacco products through the enforcement of relevant standards to protect public health.
He emphasised that the regulatory environment for vaccines is made up of stringent standards and guidelines to ensure safety, efficacy, and quality, hence Ghanaians are assured of their safety when they take any vaccine vetted and approved by the FDA.
The Deputy Programme Manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, EPI, of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. (Med) Naziru Tanko Mohammed, revealed that vaccination has led to the eradication of smallpox, near eradication of poliomyelitis, and elimination of measles in several regions. He explained that vaccines stimulate the immune system to develop long-lasting immunity against antigens from specific pathogens and germs.
He mentioned vaccine hesitancy, especially for adult vaccines, and misinformation and disinformation on vaccines as some of their key challenges. Dr. (Med) Mohammed therefore urged the media to continue to provide the public with accurate information on immunization and keep the public updated on essential immunization information, benefits of vaccines, the diseases they prevent, and where and when to get vaccinated.
