Ghana Launches Nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign

By: Modupe Adeniyi. Freelance Health Reporter.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2024. Ghana has launched its 2024 National Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (NOPV2) vaccination campaign. The initiative, unveiled in Koforidua under the rallying cry "Kick Polio Out of Ghana," represents a critical step in the nation's ongoing battle against polio transmission.

Despite previous eradication efforts, the spectre of polio continues to loom over Ghana. This new campaign, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and partners from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, aims to vaccinate more than six million children under five years old across the country.

Dr. Patrick Kumah Aboagye, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, emphasized the urgency of the situation, particularly in light of recent environmental detections of the virus in Koforidua. "The two rounds of the polio campaign, which we are launching today, are an essential part of the country's broader strategy to close the immunity gaps that allow poliovirus to persist," he stated.

The vaccination drive will unfold in two phases: the first round from October 17 to 20, 2024, followed by a second round from November 14 to 17, 2024. This comprehensive approach underscores the government's commitment to ensuring widespread coverage and maximum protection for Ghana's children.

The threat of polio remains tangible, as evidenced by the discovery of a circulating variant of type 2 poliovirus in Koforidua in September 2024. Dr. Aboagye highlighted the interconnected nature of the challenge, noting, "This clearly indicates that one polio anywhere is indeed polio everywhere." His words serve as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and collective action in the face of this persistent threat.

Seth Kwame Acheampong, the Eastern Regional Minister, reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to child health. "Today's launch further affirms our unyielding commitment to safeguarding the future of every Ghanaian child," he declared, praising the new nOPV2 as a safer and more effective tool in the fight against polio.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has thrown its support behind Ghana's efforts. Dr. Frank Lule, representing the WHO Regional Office in Accra, stressed the importance of maintaining momentum in the battle against polio. He called for effective vaccination campaigns to keep the virus at bay and protect the progress made thus far.

As a symbolic gesture to kick off the national campaign, children were vaccinated during the launch event. Additionally, a float through the streets of Koforidua helped raise awareness about the importance of vaccination among the local community.

The global context of this campaign is significant. Since the World Health Assembly's 1988 resolution for worldwide polio eradication, wild poliovirus cases have plummeted by over 99%. From 350,000 cases across more than 125 endemic countries in 1988, the number dropped to just 6 reported cases in 2021. Today, endemic wild poliovirus type 1 remains in only two countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Ghana's 2024 vaccination campaign represents a crucial step in the final push to eradicate polio completely. By protecting its children, Ghana not only secures their future but also contributes to the global effort to consign this debilitating disease to history. As the country mobilizes its resources and citizens in this vital cause, the world watches and hopes for another victory in the long-standing battle against polio.

Source: Ghana Web News 

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Published: OCTOBER 18, 2024

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