15-year-olds now permitted to take Pfizer vaccines
Fifteen-year-olds have now been included in the administration of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine according to the Ghana Health Service revised protocols.
Initially, it was only those from 18 years and above who had to be inoculated with the vaccine per the Food and Drugs Authority rules but the situation has changed as the service is of the view that, the children are also vulnerable to Covid-19 hence their decision to include them in the vaccination exercise.
Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye Director-General of the Ghana Health Service defended the decision by explaining to the press that vaccinating children within that age range helps the country better fight the pandemic.
“Pfizer has been registered fully for 12 years and above by the US FDA. Ghana originally registered Pfizer for 18 years and above. Through FDA, we have been able to have a reduction to 15 years. This is very important news for us because the most active group in our society are the young ones at that age, and with Christmas and all the activities coming they will be more active, so vaccinating those in that group will reduce school outbreaks and help us reduce transmission to adults,” he said.
He was also optimistic that Ghana will be on track to attain herd immunity if the population within that bracket is vaccinated.
Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye seized the opportunity to caution the public including health workers to be wary about the outbreak of Yellow fever in some parts of the country.
“It is no more just in Savannah Region because it seems to have reached Oti. There is a case in Bole, there is a case at the Tamale Teaching Hospital and Upper West has cases. There is even a case in Wenchi and so everyone has to be on alert. Don’t wait until you see a case there. Start doing your surveillance, especially those closer to some of these regions,” he advised.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
