The Central Regional Health Promotion Manager, Matthew Ahwireng, has expressed concern over the low uptake of vaccines in parts of the region.
According to him, some individuals continue to reject vaccination efforts due to misinformation and misperceptions, particularly relating to the commercial determinants of health.
He explained that such refusals are often influenced by incorrect beliefs, especially among parents, and stressed that, “No individual has the right to deny a child vaccination.”
Mr. Ahwireng therefore urged the general public, particularly residents of deprived communities, to adhere to public health laws and support vaccination initiatives.
“I wonder why people always forget that public health law exists,” Mr. Ahwireng remarked.
He made the comments during a stakeholder orientation meeting held for journalists in Cape Coast, as part of ongoing efforts to eradicate polio through the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV2) campaign.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Bernard Agyie, the Expanded Programme on Immunization Coordinator at the Central Regional Health Directorate, assured that IPV2 is safe and effective in preventing polio.
“IPV is safe for children and can be administered alongside other vaccines. Early vaccination means early protection, so you can be confident your children are well protected,” Dr. Agyie stated.
Dr. Agyie expressed concern over low vaccine coverage in 10 districts, which include: Gomoa East, Assin Fosu, Twifo Ati-Morkwa, Cape Coast, Gomoa Central, Efutu, Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Assin North, and Upper Denkyira East.
He also highlighted the inadequate number of health workers in the region, which he said poses significant challenges to vaccination exercises.
Dr. Agyie appealed to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to provide more health personnel and logistical support to enable the Directorate to reach more communities.
“If logistics are provided in adequate quantities and vaccines are released on time, the Ghana Health Service and the government can overcome many of the challenges,” he emphasized.
He concluded by calling on the media to play a proactive role in supporting the Health Directorate through accurate and educational reportage on vaccination efforts.
