By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu
Ada East, Dec. 18, GNA — The Ada East District Health Directorate has engaged key stakeholders on the integration of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into the routine immunisation programme for girls aged nine to 14 years.
The engagement formed part of the directorate’s strategy to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders and intensify public education on the importance of routine vaccination.
Mr Anderson Obeng Amoako, the District Disease Control Officer, said the integration of the HPV vaccine into routine immunisation made the stakeholder engagement timely, as it helped to broaden understanding of the vaccination criteria.
Mr Amoako, explaining the rationale for its inclusion in the immunisation schedule, said the directorate aimed to achieve full coverage of girls within the targeted age group, adding that a preliminary mass sensitisation exercise had already been conducted ahead of the main vaccination rollout.
“We are engaging our stakeholders to collaborate with us and help spread information about the new vaccine. We are targeting girls aged nine to 14. It is just one dose, and that completes the vaccination,” he said.
Mr Amoako explained that the HPV vaccine primarily protected against cervical cancer, adding that it also prevented genital warts and some other infections in the genital area.
He said parents and guardians could walk into any health facility in the district to have their daughters vaccinated or visit designated weighing centres on scheduled days to receive the vaccine.
He noted that since schools were currently on vacation, the directorate planned to conduct school-based vaccinations when schools reopened to reach eligible girls, adding that vaccination cards would be issued to all beneficiaries.
He encouraged stakeholders to actively support routine immunisation activities by educating residents and encouraging parents to make their children available for vaccination.
Stakeholders engaged included representatives from the education sector, the media, the clergy, traditional authorities, assembly members and other community leaders.
They were provided with presentation materials and other educational tools to support the sensitisation exercise.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Christian Akorlie