The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST and its partners are set to begin a trial of a Vaccine for Typhoid Fever in the Ashanti region with the ultimate aim of including the Vaccine in the National Expanded Immunization Programme for a nationwide application, if successful.
The Typhoid Fever Vaccine Trial programme is to take place in Asante Akyem Central and North of the Ashanti region this month.
An Investigator of the Project and a Professor in Clinical Virology at the KNUST, Professor Yaw Adu-Sarkodie disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Radio Ghana in Kumasi.
Typhoid Fever which is usually contracted from contaminated food and water has symptoms similar to those of malaria with difficult treatment. This is mainly due to the fact that its causative agent, has developed multiple resistance against antibiotics, the main known medication.
In finding a lasting solution to the disease, KNUST in partnership with the Korea International Vaccine Institute is to begin a trial of Typhoid Vaccine in Asante Akyem this month to confirm whether or not the Vaccine can be adopted in Ghana.
The Typhoid Vaccine has already received a Pre-qualification approval by the WHO, with the trial scheduled to take place simultaneously in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Zimbabwe.
Member of the Project Team, Professor Yaw Adu-Sarkodie, who is also a Professor of Clinical Virology explained that about 23 thousand people in the chosen geographical area including Asante AkyemAgogo are to be recruited for the trial which is scheduled to last for a three-year period.
Asante Akyem has been selected for the project because KNUST’s survey revealed that typhoid is highly prevalent in the area coupled with the fact that, the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital has been adopted for the establishment of the KNUST/ International Vaccine Institute Collaboration Centre.
Targeted participants of the Typhoid Vaccine trial are children aged between nine months and 16 years since the disease is mostly contracted by children.
Prof. Adu-Sarkodie said participation in the vaccine trial is voluntary with insurance for participants against any adverse effects.
Prof. Adu-Sarkodie said the success of the trial will allow for the inclusion of the Typhoid Fever Vaccine in the Expanded National Immunization Programme for a nationwide upscale.
He explained further why a Typhoid Fever Vaccine has become necessary for national consideration.