The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has launched another phase of its national COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The initiative aims to administer at least 500,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines to individuals aged 18 and above, as part of ongoing efforts to boost vaccination rates.

In a statement signed by Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of the GHS, it was announced that vaccination teams would be stationed at various hospitals, clinics, and health centers.

To ensure widespread coverage, teams will also visit homes, markets, churches, mosques, workplaces, and other locations to provide easy access to vaccines for all eligible individuals.

Dr. Kuma-Aboagye emphasized that the COVID-19 vaccine is now a routine vaccination for adults and is available at all vaccination centers nationwide. Despite significant progress in vaccinating the target population, he noted that some individuals have only received partial doses or none at all, leaving them vulnerable to the disease.

Children under 15 years of age, who are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccination under the national policy, remain at risk.

Their protection relies on high vaccination rates among adults to achieve herd immunity.

As of June 28, 2024, a total of 29,191,110 doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in Ghana, with about 56% of the target population completing the primary series.

The GHS stressed the importance of increasing immunity and breaking the transmission chain, particularly in light of a gradual rise in COVID-19 cases.

The statement highlighted the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in April and May 2024 as evidence that the pandemic is not over. The GHS called on all stakeholders to support the campaign by ensuring that all eligible individuals receive their primary series and booster doses for maximum protection.