Covid-19: Health Director bemoans vaccine hesitancy

Juaso (Ash), Mr Reuben Osei Antwi, Municipal Director of Health Services for Asante-Akim South, has expressed concern about low patronage of ongoing COVID-19 vaccination in the Municipality.

He said it was worrying that people still held on to various conspiracy theories about the vaccines despite sustained public education on their safety and efficacy.

Mr Antwi who was speaking at a focus group discussion to create demand for the vaccination exercise, said COVID-19 remained a threat to public health and required a concerted effort to fight it.

The event was put together by the Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in collaboration with the Municipal Health Directorate with funding from the European Union (EU).

It formed part of a study on knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Ghana being conducted by the NCCE.

Representatives drawn from the Ghana Health Service, youth and women groups, persons with disabilities, faith-based organisation, transport unions, and opinion leaders attended the meeting.

Mr Antwi said Ghana still had COVID-19 active cases and that vaccination was one of the surest ways to halt the spread of the viral disease.

He, therefore, urged the citizenry to participate in the vaccination exercise not only to protect themselves but also to help stop the spread.

He also encouraged the public to continue to observe the safety protocols even after receiving the vaccine, saying that the general laxity in adherence to the protocols was disturbing.

Mr Patrick Asare, Programmes Manager of NCCE in the Municipality, said the programme sought to encourage the public to take part in the covid-19 vaccination and also promote adherence to the safety protocols.

He urged the participants to serve as COVID-19 ambassadors in their respective groups by advocating adherence to the protocols and participation in the vaccination exercise.

Source: Ghana News Agency