Deputy Director of Public Health and Incident Manager for COVID-19 at the Eastern Regional Ghana Health Service (GES), Dr. John Ekow Otoo, has reported that 904,696 individuals in the Eastern Region have completed their COVID-19 vaccination.
This number corresponds to 46.2 percent of the target population of 1.9 million individuals aged 15 and above in the region.
Dr. Otoo shared these details with the Ghana News Agency during an interview to update on the region’s COVID-19 vaccination progress and the status of COVID-19 cases as of May 26, 2024, and June 9, 2024.
He indicated that 1,227,526 people, constituting 62.6 percent of the targeted population, have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Among those fully vaccinated, 420,770 have received a booster dose to enhance protection against COVID-19.
The Eastern Regional Health Directorate received and distributed 1,704,400 doses of AstraZeneca, 1,065,150 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, 807,900 doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen, and 122,640 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to health centers.
Dr. Otoo reported that a total of 2,238,459 vaccine doses were administered, with 171 individuals experiencing Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI), including 165 severe cases and 6 mild cases.
AEFI refers to unintended medical reactions caused by vaccination, which can range from mild to severe.
Of the reported AEFI cases, 56 percent were females and 44 percent were males, with symptoms including headaches, abscesses, severe local reactions, fevers above 38 degrees Celsius, vomiting, diarrhea, painful ribs, nausea, loss of appetite, malaise, anaphylaxis, general body pains, and muscle pains as of March 31, 2024.
As of June 9, 2024, the region recorded 65 COVID-19 cases, with three active cases in the New Juaben South Municipality.
Dr. Otoo acknowledged challenges such as misinformation and myths about COVID-19 vaccines hindering vaccination efforts but urged those eligible to get vaccinated to protect themselves against the virus, which remains a threat.
He emphasized that immunization is crucial for preventing and reducing illness and death across societies and countries.