The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has altered the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine administration procedures.
Pfizer jabs will be administered to individuals between the ages of 15 and 18.
Previously, the Food and Drugs Administration allowed only persons over the age of 18 to be immunized with the vaccine.
The Service thinks that children in schools are more susceptible to the Covid-19 disease, which is why they are taking the risky step of including them in the vaccination exercise.
Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, Director-General GHS, told the media that vaccinating children in that age range helps the government battle the pandemic more effectively.
“Pfizer has been registered fully for 12 years and above by the US FDA. Ghana originally registered Pfizer for 18 years and above. Through FDA, we have been able to have a reduction to 15 years. This is very important news for us because the most active group in our society are the young ones at that age, and with Christmas and all the activities coming they will be more active, so vaccinating those in that group will reduce school outbreaks and help us reduce transmission to adults,” he said.
He stated that if the population in that age group gets vaccinated, Ghana would be on pace to achieve herd immunity.
Meanwhile, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye has warned the public, particularly health professionals, to be on the lookout for Yellow fever outbreaks in various regions of the nation.
He said that the sickness has been verified in many sections of the nation and that more places are likely to be affected.
“It is no more just in Savannah Region because it seems to have reached Oti. There is a case in Bole, there is a case at the Tamale Teaching Hospital and Upper West has cases. There is even a case in Wenchi and so everyone has to be on alert. Don’t wait until you see a case there. Start doing your surveillance, especially those closer to some of these regions,” he advised.
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