GHANA – The Government of Ghana, with support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners, has finalized the second round of a polio vaccination campaign across all 16 regions of the country.
Ghana launched the polio vaccination drive following the confirmation of circulating polio variant type 2 in the country from two acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases specifically one at the North Gonja District in Savannah Region District, in Savanna Region, and another one in West Mamprusi, North-East Region.
“We will continue to partner with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to make the fight against polio a success. All caregivers of children under five years are encouraged to ensure that no child is left out in this immunization campaign,” Hon. Mahama Seini, Deputy Minister of Health said.
According to WHO Ghana Country Office, the country conducted the second phase of polio vaccination campaigns targeting more than 7 million children under 5 years of age with the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) from 6th October to 9th October 2022.
The agency has also been key in building capacity of health workers to conduct surveillance on polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases and to deliver vaccines to protect Ghanaian children who are the most vulnerable.
WHO underscored that it is important for countries to address hesitancy or refusal of vaccines by integrating targeted communication and social mobilization activities into campaigns while allowing population and parents access to the correct information on the current vaccination rollouts.
“The vaccine used this time (nOPV2) is more genetically stable and less likely to be associated with the emergence of circulating type 2 poliovirus (the most prevalent form of polio) in low immunity settings, as observed in clinical trials,” the agency announced.
The specialized public health agency further highlighted that the new vaccine is a next-generation version of the existing type 2 monovalent OPV (mOPV2) and has been in development since 2011.
“The new tool is being deployed by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and countries that are verified to have met the readiness criteria for nOPV2, including experiencing a polio variant type 2 outbreak,” WHO said.
As many other countries globally, Ghana have benefited from this vaccine and WHO Representatives and governments show commitment across the region to end polio once and for all, according to the official statement.
The statement further said that WHO’s role has been critical when it comes to training vaccinators on key guidance, observing not only COVID-19 preventive measures as well as aligning with stablished health recommendations when administering the two drops.
“As WHO, within the UN System in Ghana and with the rest of the GPEI partners, we will continue to support the Government to respond to public health emergencies and accompany Ghana on the road to achieving universal health coverage,” said Dr Francis Kasolo, WHO Representative to Ghana.
He further highlighted that all border districts in Ghana collaborated with counterparts in neighboring countries to successfully administer the vaccines while noting that partners are working with caregivers to ensure no child was left behind when vaccinating
“To effectively end polio outbreaks, timely response and implementation of high-quality campaigns are critical. Mass immunization campaigns need to ensure that no child is missed, and they must be implemented in a timely manner, that is within two months of notification,” Dr. Kasolo concluded.
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