A Deputy Health Director in the Volta Region, Dr Kwesi Dzokoto, has called for an enhanced education on the vaccine after large quantities of the vaccine expired following low turnout.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) revealed that large quantities of vaccines dispatched to the Volta region expired due to vaccine hesitancy among the people.
Government introduced new measures, including a mandatory vaccination drive at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), as part of efforts to get more Ghanaians to vaccinate against COVID-19.
Ghana’s vaccination drive had earlier experienced a few setbacks due to shortage of vaccines.
Manager of the Expanded Programme of Immunisation at the GHS, Dr. Kwame Amponsah Achiano, says the refusal of the people in the Volta region to get vaccinated is thwarting the country’s effort to limit the spread of the pandemic.
Speaking to the issue on Atinka FM’s AM Drive with host Kaakyire Ofori Ayim, Dr Kwesi Dzokoto noted that although the Volta Region had a lot of vaccines in the region, the vaccines are expiring due to hesitancy by residents.
Read Also:Covid-19: Land borders still closed over 4th wave fears
According to Dr Kwesi Dzokoto, the Volta Region has vaccinated only 15% out of the 1million target set by the Ghana Health Service.
Asked about the cause of the hesitancy, Dr Kwesi Dzokoto said the people have been brainwashed by anti-vaccine campaigners on social media.
“The low turnout can be attributed to the fact that the youth say they do not believe the covid-19 virus exist since they do not have friends or family who have contracted the virus. They also believe the virus is not even in the Volta Region. Another big issue is that a local musician has composed a song against the vaccine and it’s a facto. It’s a multifaceted issue and it is disheartening. We will call on all relevant stakeholders to enhance the education on the vaccine,” Dr Kwesi Dzokoto told Kaakyire Ofori Ayim.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu | [email protected]
