The Savannah Regional health directorate has held a stakeholder engagement meeting to launch the fourth Round of covid-19 vaccination campaign week at Damongo, the Savannah regional capital.
The stakeholder engagement meeting was held on Wednesday, 22nd June, 2022 under the theme; “Protect yourself, protect your family, Get vaccinated” to discuss and put in stringent measures to address Covid -19 vaccine hesitancy and improve uptake of the vaccines and to as well launch the fourth round of the covid-19 Vaccination campaign week which is slated to start from 24th to 28th June, 2022 with mass campaign including a strong element of risk communication and community engagement to address myths and misconception surrounding the Covid-19 vaccines in the communities.
The Regional Director for health services, Dr. Chrysantus Kubio in an address said, the first and second rounds of the covid-19 vaccination exercise was implemented this year in February and April respectively with the target of vaccinating 20 million by the end of June, 2022 but with the exercises done so far, only 6.2 million people are fully vaccinated as against the target adding that, out of the 20 million,10 million people have been vaccinated with a single dose which shows that about 50% of the Ghanaian population as per the target are yet to receive a dose of the vaccine in relation to being protected against covid -19 infection.
He explained that in view of the gabs, two additional campaigns being supported by global Alliance for vaccines and immunization to assist the Ghana health service to carry out two additional vaccination exercises in relation to covid-19 to enable them protect the population and also for them to meet the 20 million said target.
He further explained that, the updated data for the region shows that only 41% of the population have been fully vaccinated and 51% receiving the second dose( booster ) and quick to add that the closeness of the figures between those who received the first dose and the booster might not be so interms numbers but what it means is that, invariably, it is those who came for the first dose are the same people being vaccinated for the second dose which means that, about 50% of the total population of the Savannah region is not covered.
The Regional Health Director acknowledged the support of Global communities, a Non- governmental organization that has supported them in carrying out educational messages and also supporting in providing fuel and allowances for them to be able to reach out to community members on the uptake of the vaccines and has supported the region to carry out two vaccination exercises aside the National exercise.
The regional Director however lamented on the existence of Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy among community members leading to low vaccine uptake adding that, the Savannah Region has a target of vaccinating 440,612 of it's eligible population representing 72% but met only 41% of its targeted population fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 disease with 51% receiving at least a dose as at 22nd June, 2022.
He admonished the stakeholders not to relax on their collective efforts in ensuring that each and every one within the eligibility bracket takes the vaccine alongside observing the protocols where necessary as they need to completely win the fight.
The first and second Covid-19 vaccinations took place in February and April, 2022 respectively with the third round successfully implemented from 8th June -12th June, 2022
The stakeholder engagement meeting was attended by heads of departments in the region, the clergy, the media, the security services, the regional coordinating Director among others.
Kumatey Gorden
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