Audio By Carbonatix
The Programme Manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation of the Ghana Health Service has allayed fears of Ghanaians on adequate storage facilities for Covid-19 vaccines.
Dr Kwame Amponsa-Achiano said the Health Services' analysis of existing infrastructure in anticipation of the vaccines revealed there is enough cold chain across the country.
"We did a gap analysis of our cold chain. Because if you are receiving new vaccines that are not originally produced in your system, then obviously there is the need to look at your gaps. It was revealed that we have enough cold chain at both the national and regional levels" he said.
Ghana received first consignment of vaccines on Wednesday, February 24.
The 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine licensed to the Serum Institute of India (AZ/SII) was received by Health Minister-designate alongside health officials at the Kotoka International Airport.
Speaking on PM Express on JoyNews Tuesday, Dr Amponsa-Achiano said the necessary logistical arrangement has been made to transport the vaccines to the national cold room at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The Senior Health Physician added that Ghana has four cold room at the national level and excess space at the regionals for the storage and distribution of vaccines.
He, however, indicated that cold chains in 15 out the 260 districts have to be beefed up as more doses are received.
Programme Manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation said, "For vaccines that are coming in trickles do not put pressure us at all. For the regions, we are not worried because there is excess cold space.
"We are sad that Ghana is not getting so many vaccines at the same time but in a way; we are also not over-stretched in terms of cold chain."
Ghana's storage and distribution plan is expected to prioritise speed and to minimise waste.
Public health authorities have assured Ghanaians that a comprehensive plan exists to make use of the country’s existing cold chain infrastructure for vaccine distribution.
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