President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday, March 1, 2021 received the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine at the 37 Military Hospital ahead of the vaccination exercise tomorrow.
His wife, the first lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo also took a jab of the vaccines in a bid to whip up public confidence and participation in the upcoming vaccination.
In a short address prior to receiving the jab, the President called on Ghanaians to avail themselves to be vaccinated against the viral disease.
He further cautioned the public to desist from disregarding the COVID-19 protocols until the fight against the viral disease becomes a success.
“It is important that I set the example that this vaccine is safe by being the first to have it, so that everybody in Ghana can feel comfortable about taking this vaccine,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo added “It is important that everybody at the end of the day is vaccinated, that’s our objective – the vaccine does not mean we are throwing away all other protocols, all the other protocols remain in place until we are satisfied that the virus has finally disappeared from the soil of Ghana.”
The first lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo also received her vaccine immediately after the president at the same venue.
Meanwhile, Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia and the second lady, Samira Bawumia also took their jabs at the Police Headquarters in Accra around the same time.
The gesture by the first and second family is to allay the fears of Ghanaians that the COVID 19 vaccine is safe amidst the various conspiracy theory about the vaccine.
Vaccine don’t cause infertility
President Akufo-Addo had in his 24th address to the nation on measures being taken to fight Covid-19, dispelled rumors that the Covid-19 vaccines have the potential of rendering recipients infertile and altering their DNA.
“Our domestic regulatory agency, FDA, one of the most reputable in Africa and in the world, has certified the safe use of the vaccine. It will not do so if it had any reservations about the safety of the vaccine, and I have gone on record as saying that no vaccine will be deployed in the country for use without the express certification of the FDA,” he said.
He added: “Taking the vaccine will not alter your DNA, it will not embed a tracking device in your body, neither will it cause infertility in women or in men.”
Arrival of vaccines
Ghana on Wednesday took delivery of 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines made by the Serum Institute of India (Covishield).
This is the first consignment of vaccines acquired through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX) which Ghana, among 92 countries, has signed unto.
A statement issued by the information ministry said the COVID-19 vaccination will be conducted in phases among segmented populations.
“The first segment of the population that will receive from the 600,000 doses will be health workers, adults 60 years and over, people with underlying health conditions, frontline executive, legislature, judiciary and their related staff, frontline security personnel, some religious leaders, essential workers, teachers and other personalities in Greater Accra Metro including Awutu Senya and Awutu Senya East in the Central Region. A similar segmented population in the Greater Kumasi Metro and Obuasi municipality will also be covered,” the statement signed by Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, information minister-designate said.
Geographical regions
The vaccines will be deployed in health facilities and designated centres in these geographical regions from 2 March.
The statement said Ghana “remains resolute at ensuring the welfare of all Ghanaians and is making frantic efforts to acquire adequate vaccines to cover the entire population through bilateral and multi-lateral agencies.”
It added: “We urge you to do your part by ensuring that you get vaccinated when the vaccine gets to you. We acknowledge the hard work of the technical teams from the Ghana Health Service, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Information, the COVID-19 Task Force and all those who have assisted in getting us this far.”
Government expressed gratitude to its development partners for their tremendous financial and technical support.
“It is our hope that they will continue to support us in our sustained efforts in combating this virus and putting COVID-19 behind us”.
