The Health Minister, Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, has debunked claims that there have been deaths due to the recent spike in measles cases due to the shortage of some routine childhood vaccines.
He clarified this during a press briefing on Tuesday in Accra.
He stated, “It is important to correct the erroneous impression that there have been deaths from measles in Ghana recently. For the avoidance of doubt, there have been no deaths from the recently recorded spike in measles cases. Indeed, there have been no deaths since 2003 though we have recorded cases annually.”
Mr Agyemang-Manu lauded the country’s immunization coverage, saying it was among the best in the world.
“Despite this challenge, Ghana’s immunization performance coverage remains among the best in the world. In 2021 we recorded 95% coverage.
“The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has been a flagship disease control programme in the country and arguably one of the best programmes with high coverage levels of over 95%. We have an established system for forecasting, procurement, supply and distribution of routine vaccines, and monitoring their use,” he added.
The Minister reiterated that there would be vaccines in stock in the next few weeks.
“Working with UNICEF, we are fast-tracking the procurement processes and it is expected that the vaccines would be supplied in the next few weeks, all things being equal,” he stressed.
Mr Agyemang-Manu further assured that the Ministry would stay on track with immunization records and quickly overcome these bottlenecks.
Patience Anaadem, ISD
