8m COVID-19 vaccine doses unused in hospitals nationwide – Dr Addipa-Adapoe

About eight million doses of COVID-19 vaccines remain unused in various health facilities across the country.

While an estimated 15 million of the total population have received at least one dose of the vaccine, 11.8 million people are so far fully vaccinated, with 6.8 mil­lion persons taken a booster shot.

Sharing the data at a workshop for journalists on vaccine uptake in Accra, Senior Medical Officer at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Dr Emmanuel Addi­pa-Adapoe, said although Ghana’s vaccination rate was appreciable, more people needed to take the COVID-19 vaccines to help attain herd immunity.

According to him, despite COVID-19 being declared no longer of public health emergency concern, the country still recorded infections with the disease now presenting in malaria and flu-like symptoms.

“With new cases we are seeing, it is difficult to tell if it’s COVID-19 without test because you may experience headaches, cough, fever and sometimes sore throat. The likelihood of a loss of smell and sense of taste may no longer be the case although infected persons may sometimes experience muscle weakness,” he noted.

Dr Addipa-Adapoe urged mem­bers of the public, particularly those unvaccinated to take their COVID-19 jabs to build needed immunity, prevent extreme com­plications of the infection and bring the threat under control.

He further advised the public to be on the alert and report imme­diately to the nearest hospital any ill symptoms they may experience for prompt attention.

The Surveillance Officer at the WHO, Dr Michael Adjabeng, stressed the significant role of the media to boost immunisation among populace to meet health targets.

“As journalists, your stories can have life-saving impact. You can be the voice of reason and trust when it comes to vaccination. Through your powerful story­telling, you can help overcome vaccine hesitancy and promote a culture of immunisation across the country,” he urged.

He pledged the continuous sup­port of WHO to Ghana’s health sector including efforts to achieve goals like the universal health cov­erage and the sustainable develop­ment goals.

For her part, the Executive Sec­retary of AMMREN, Dr Charity Binka, charged the media to work to dispel myths and misinforma­tion on vaccines as it remained a major tool in preventing diseases worldwide.

“Together, we can overcome the challenges of vaccine hesitan­cy and work towards a healthier, more resilient Ghana,” she added.

 BY ABIGAIL ANNOH