National malaria vaccination exercise to be expanded to 43 districts

The National Malaria Vaccination exercise is to be expanded to 43 districts in four regions in the country, involving Savannah, Western North, Northern and Upper West. This was contained in a release by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) sighted by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), which shows that the Malaria Vaccine Implementation programme was already being done in the Central, Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Volta, Oti, and Upper East regions. The release said the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern and Western regions, would be roped in at a later date. It said malaria was preventable and urged all parents and guardians to ensure that their children were vaccinated. 'Let us all join hands to help protect our children and communities from malaria,' it said. In another development, Mr Samuel Atidzah, the Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, a health NGO operating in the Adaklu district, in an interview with the GNA said the malaria vaccine provided extra layer of protection for children, as it complemented other pre ventive measures. He stated that by vaccinating children who were five years and below, 'we are not only protecting them but also contributing to their health. 'Together we can reduce the burden of malaria and safeguard the future of our children,' he noted. Mr Atidzah stated that malaria continued to be a significant threat, especially to children, saying it caused severe illness and death to children under five years. Source: Ghana News Agency