By Yussif Ibrahim, GNA
Kumasi, April 28, GNA -Dr Fred Adomako-Boateng, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, has called for heightened public awareness on the importance of vaccines in preventing diseases and saving lives, as Ghana joins the rest of the continent to mark African Vaccination Week.Â
Speaking at a media briefing in Kumasi, he emphasised that vaccines remained one of the most effective public health interventions, protecting individuals across all age groups and significantly reducing disease burden.
The week-long observance, which runs in sync with World Immunization Week, is aimed at promoting equitable access to vaccines and strengthening immunization systems.
This year’s theme: “For Every Generation, Vaccines Work,” underscores the role of vaccination in safeguarding both children and adults against preventable diseases.
Dr Adomako-Boateng noted that over the past 50 years, vaccines have saved more than 154 million lives globally, translating to approximately six lives saved every minute.
He added that sustained immunization efforts have contributed to a 42 percent improvement in infant survival in recent years.
“Vaccines protect against more than 30 life-threatening infections, from childhood diseases to conditions affecting older populations,” he stated, highlighting their role in reducing illnesses such as malaria, cholera, meningitis, and COVID-19.
He further explained that beyond individual protection, vaccines contribute to community immunity, shielding vulnerable populations who may not be vaccinated.
A key focus of this year’s campaign is the prevention of cervical cancer through vaccination against Human Papillomavirus.
He described the virus as a common infection transmitted through sexual contact, with high-risk strains responsible for most cervical cancer cases.
According to him, cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa, largely due to late detection and limited access to screening and treatment.
As part of efforts to address this, he urged parents to ensure that girls between the ages of nine and 14 receive the HPV vaccine before exposure to the virus.
“Any parent with a daughter within this age group should visit the nearest health facility for vaccination,” he advised.
Dr Adomako-Boateng said activities planned for the week included public education campaigns, media engagements, vaccination outreaches in schools and communities, as well as efforts to strengthen supply chains and train healthcare workers.
He stressed that special attention would be given to underserved and hard-to-reach communities to ensure no one is left behind.
African Vaccination Week, launched in 2011, continues to serve as a critical platform for governments, health partners, and communities to advance immunization coverage and integrate essential health services across the continent.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Yussif IbrahimÂ
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