The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has launched the oral cholera vaccine as part of efforts to combat the ongoing spread of cholera.
The vaccination rollout is set to commence in Awutu Senya East on Saturday, November 30, with the Central Region identified as a hotspot for cholera outbreaks.
This comes in response to the 21 deaths recorded following Ghana’s first cholera case in Ada East.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, urged the public to embrace the vaccine while maintaining strict hygiene practices, since the vaccine serves as an additional preventive measure.
“For many years, Ghana Health Service has worked with partners and programmes in promoting personal hygiene, good sanitation and access to safe drinking water contributing to the prevention of cholera in our communities. However, it is a great relief as we launch one of the most powerful tools in our hustle to fight against cholera, ‘The Oral Cholera Vaccine’.”
“These vaccines have proven to be effective and rapidly protecting against cholera in areas where there have been happenings. The caution is while the cholera vaccine presents an additional approach to cholera prevention and control, it has not replaced the system’s prior cholera control measures which are sanitation and access to potable water.
“The vaccine is most effective when is combined with improved sanitation and hygiene processes such as frequent washing of hands under running water,” he stated.
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