The Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Chrysantus Kubio, has called for increased efforts to boost vaccination rates in the region.
Dr. Kubio expressed concern over significant gaps in routine immunization and COVID-19 vaccination coverage.
In the first half of 2024, 7,865 children in the Volta Region missed their third dose of the Penta vaccine. Additionally, 9,459 children were not immunized with the Measles/Rubella 2 vaccine.
The region has recorded eight confirmed cases of measles this year, raising alarm despite remaining below the epidemic threshold.
A national mass vaccination campaign is scheduled to take place from October 2 to October 6, 2024, in all districts across Ghana. The campaign aims to halt the spread of measles, rubella, and other preventable diseases.
Dr. Kubio also addressed the ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19, noting that the Volta Region’s vaccination rate remains one of the lowest in the country.
As of July 2024, only 48.3% of the region’s target population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, well below the 70% target required for herd immunity.
Dr. Kubio called on all stakeholders to collaborate in driving demand generation and increasing vaccine acceptance to prevent future disease outbreaks.
