President Akufo-Addo has expressed concern over the current shortage of some childhood vaccines in the country.

According to him, government will do all it can to ensure that the vaccines are supplied as soon as possible.

President Akufo-Addo explained that the World Health Organization has also expressed worry about the steady decline in the global measles vaccination coverage due to the concentration on the fight against COVID-19.

“In accordance with our desire not to become part of this global trend, Government has taken steps to ensure that stocks of these vaccines are procured and supplied as a matter of emergency,” he assured.

The President gave the assurance on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Parliament when he delivered the 2023 State of the Nation’s Address (SONA).

He stated that the Ghana Health Service has therefore developed an initiative that will help children to catch up on the vaccines they missed ones the stocks arrive.

“The Ghana Health Service has developed an elaborate programme to catch up on children who have missed their vaccinations immediately stocks arrive.

“I want to encourage all parents and caregivers to ensure that eligible children are vaccinated once the programme begins, no child should be denied access to vaccination,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo said the National Vaccine Institute Bill which has already been passed into law will make vaccine shortage a thing of the past.

“This House has already passed into law the National Vaccine Institute Bill, which is yet to be brought for my assent. In the near future, this Institute will ensure that, no matter what happens to the global vaccine supply chain, we can produce our own vaccines locally,” President Akufo Addo stated.