Ghana Receives More Child Immunisation Vaccines

Ghana has taken delivery of the first consignment of measles, BCG and oral polio vaccines after experiencing shortages for well over two months.

“Distribution to various regions and facilities is underway,” the Ministry of Information posted on Facebook Saturday (11 March).

“More vaccines expected in Ghana in the coming weeks from multiple sources,” the ministry gave assurance to Ghanaians.

The Ghana Health Service blamed a shortage of routine vaccines for children for a measles outbreak that infected over 120 babies in the north.

Health officials said the shortage of vaccines against polio, hepatitis B, and measles was caused by the depreciation of the cedi. The Pediatric Society of Ghana warned childhood diseases could quickly spread if the vaccines were not soon made available. 

For months, nursing mothers have been complaining of shortage of vaccines meant for babies from birth to at least 18 months.

The situation became worse in February after major health facilities in 10 out of the 16 administrative regions of Ghana kept turning nursing mothers away due to erratic supply.