The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has launched a five-day vaccination campaign targeting 244,869 residents in three districts of the Upper West Region as authorities intensify efforts to contain a yellow fever outbreak.
The exercise, which began on Wednesday, October 14, is being conducted in Wa West, Sissala East and Sissala West districts and is expected to end on Sunday, October 18.
The campaign targets eligible persons aged nine months to 60 years, with health officials urging residents to take advantage of the vaccination exercise to protect themselves against the disease.
According to the GHS, vaccination teams have been deployed to health facilities and temporary centres at public locations, including markets, bus stations, churches, mosques and schools.
Mobile teams are also visiting communities, towns and villages to reach residents in remote and hard-to-access areas.
On Thursday, October 15, the Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Josephat Nyuzaghl, and the Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Collins Boateng Danquah, visited Sissala East and Sissala West to monitor implementation.
The officials met district health management teams and visited vaccination teams, including those serving Fulani communities, to assess progress, ensure compliance with vaccination protocols and identify operational challenges.
The vaccination drive follows the confirmation of three yellow fever cases in the region, all of which resulted in deaths, prompting health authorities to intensify containment measures.
The GHS says vaccination remains the most effective means of preventing yellow fever and controlling outbreaks. Residents who receive the vaccine are being issued yellow vaccination cards as proof of immunisation.
Health authorities are encouraging eligible residents in the three districts to participate fully in the exercise to help limit transmission and protect vulnerable communities.
