The Northern Regional health directorate as announced that the measles vaccine has arrived and urges all parents to get their children immunized against measles.
According to the directorate, the Ghana Health Service has recorded 15 suspected cases in that region alone for 2023.
Despite the fact that there have been no deaths, Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari, Regional Health Director, believes there are enough vaccines to fight the disease and that parents should play a role in combating it.
Speaking to Citi News, Dr. Braimah urged all parents to avail their children for routine vaccination against measles.
“As part of the routine immunization, there are about 13 different vaccines we are giving to the children depending on the age.”
There had previously been reports of a vaccine shortage in the region following the detection of cases in four districts: Karaga, Sagnerigu, Tamale, and Gushegu.
In some health facilities, children had to be put on oxygen due to severe cases.
Since the middle of 2022, general vaccine supply to the Northern Region has been erratic.
Checks in the region prior to the latest arrival of vaccines revealed that only two of the 13 vaccines for routine immunization, Tetanus and Tuberculosis, were in stock.
The health directorate in a release stated that “Given the current season, which presents one of the greatest risks for the transmission of measles, Districts Health Directorates and Facilities (both public and private) are urged to intensify surveillance on measles and other diseases of epidemic potential for prompt action should they occur.
In 2022, the central hospital in Tamale had its Paediatric unit closed down due to an outbreak of measles.
