The Volta Region has reported eight confirmed cases of measles this year. While this number is below the epidemic threshold, Dr. Kwesi Senanu Djokoto, the Regional Deputy Director of Health for Public Health, has expressed concern.
Dr. Djokoto emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to enhance immunization programs in the region and to boost demand for routine, childhood, and COVID-19 vaccinations.
His comments were made during a stakeholder engagement and the second quarter risk communication meeting held in Ho on Wednesday.
Approximately 80 members of the Ghana Health Service’s risk communication sub-committee, as well as heads of departments, unit heads, NGO representatives, and traditional rulers attended the meeting.
Dr. Djokoto stressed the importance of high vaccine uptake to achieve herd immunity and control infectious diseases.
He announced a national mass measles/rubella vaccination campaign scheduled for October 2 to 6 and urged the public to participate enthusiastically.
He noted that vaccination is a cost-effective measure for health security and essential for reducing childhood mortality and morbidity.
The region had successfully vaccinated 2,556 children who missed earlier vaccinations and administered vitamin A supplements to 3,703 children.
However, 7,865 children missed their Panta three vaccine and 9,459 missed the Measles/Rubella two vaccine in the first half of 2024, contributing to the low vaccination rate.
Dr. Djokoto also highlighted the need to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates, noting that only 48.3% of the target population has been fully vaccinated. Despite COVID-19 no longer being declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization, he stressed the importance of continuing vaccination efforts.
The Regional Coordinator of the Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI), Emmanuel Bonsu, called for stronger routine immunization, supportive supervision, and more vigorous campaigns for measles/rubella and vitamin A supplementation.
Additionally, Mama Kuma II, a youth queen mother of Ho-Ahoe, raised concerns about the proliferation of junk food outlets operating at night and advocated for a mass education drive to address this issue.
