Former President John Mahama, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and other key personalities in Ghana will be publicly vaccinated against the novel coronavirus this morning.

These key personalities include the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin and Members of Parliament, the Chief Justice, Justice Anin Yeboah and Justices of the Superior Court of Judicature, Chairperson and Members of the Council of State, the Chief of Staff and senior officials at the Office of the President.

The exercise follows a similar one by President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and their spouses yesterday.

Former President Mahama will this morning take the Covid-19 vaccine at the Police Hospital in Accra.

Amidst the ongoing debate about the safety of the vaccine and possible implications, the government on February 24, took delivery of 600,000 AstraZeneca dose as part of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global vaccine-sharing program. 

While some social media users insist they will not take the vaccine when offered, health experts have argued that more education on the drug must be given.

In view of this, the President had explained that the decision for key personalities to publicly take the vaccine is to boost public confidence in the new vaccine procured for the citizens.

In his 24th televised address to the nation on Sunday, February 28, President Akufo-Addo also added that “the AstraZeneca vaccine is one of two vaccines that have, so far, been approved and declared as safe-for-use by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).”

The President also explained that from Tuesday, March 2, to Monday, March 15, the Ghana Health Service will begin deployment of the 600,000 AstraZeneca vaccines, with persons in Groups 1 and 2 being the target of this first vaccination campaign.

It will be conducted in 43 districts, which are the epi-centres of the pandemic in the country.

They include 25 districts in Greater Accra, 16 in Ashanti, and two in the Central Region. 

Meanwhile, other prominent personalities like some Eminent Clergy, the National Chief Imam, the Ga Mantse, and some media practitioners will also take the jab publicly today.