By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA
Takoradi, June 9, GNA -A cross session of Community actors has appreciated the government’s desire to produce local vaccines, for emergency and routine immunization purposes in the country.
They said that the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute must also not be just a mere institution but one resourced, duly monitored and guided by the relevant ministries, bodies and agencies to deliver on this great ambition for self-sufficiency.
Mr. Emmanuel Opoku, a cell leader for the Bankyease area of the Christian Faith Church International told the Ghana News Agency that it was a positive initiative that needed to be supported “so that as a country we do not continue to rely on global supply”.
He noted how prevention was better than cure noting, vaccination helped boost the immune system, develop protection against specific infectious diseases and safeguard the lives of new-borns.
He justified that the local vaccines would be better because the ‘ingredients’ were those proven to be very effective in healing in this part of the world, but feared as to whether it would be expensive or free.
Elder Opoku said, “On vaccination. I used to have my own doubt particularly when at a point it was widely misconceived that certain vaccines or vaccination can cause premature ejaculation in men.”
He mentioned that local pharmaceutical producers like kinaphama, Tobinco and the rest should be encouraged to do more to be competitive.
Elder Opoku also called for training and retraining of some of the people employed to administer the vaccines while, adopting the best scientific methods possible.
Madam Maribel Akuorkor Okine, the Western Regional Director for Gender called for inclusive communication strategies that addressed the unique concerns of women and men regarding vaccines.
She noted that women, should be empowered with accurate information to make informed choices, adding that gender-sensitive approaches, would help ensure equitable access to vaccines and increase overall acceptance.
Nana Egya Kwamina XI, Chief of Apremdo lauded the intervention as key to secure the health of the country particularly during outbreaks of infectious conditions.
He recalled how infant vaccines and immunization had saved many lives and contributed significantly to reducing the six killer diseases among children.
Madam Henrietta Quabu, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan School Health Education Programme Officer spoke about intervention like Folic acid for girls, routine school immunization as key protection tools that had allowed school children grow and develop well.
She prayed that international best practices would be strictly adhered to in manufacturing the local vaccines, to win trust of the Ghanaians
Reverend Vincent Amissah, Founder of Outreach Ministry and a community worker urged the authorities entrusted with supervision to remain transparent and ensure continuous monitoring to build trust.
He said, “Let us produce reliable, effective and less costly vaccines but of quality standard to serve the nation.”
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga /Kenneth Odeng Adade
Mildred Siabi-Mensah