The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region has launched an immunisation campaign against poliomyelitis (polio) for children aged between seven and 11 months, in a bid to protect them from the disease.

In Ghana, the immunisation schedule for children begins at birth and continues until they reach 18 months.

This includes vaccinations against tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae type B, measles, rubella, and yellow fever.

As part of the implementation of both routine and mass immunisation programmes, Ghana uses the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), which contains poliovirus serotypes 1 and 3, as well as the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), which strengthens a child’s immune system and protects them from polio.

With high coverage rates and ongoing efforts to prevent outbreaks and maintain a polio-free status, four doses of OPV are administered at birth, at 6, 10, and 14 weeks, with IPV given at 14 weeks.

Public Health Officer for Disease Control Stephen Owusu Sekyere, speaking at the launch of the campaign in Kenyasi, emphasised that unvaccinated children remain vulnerable to polio.

He urged parents, guardians, and teachers to collaborate with the GHS to ensure the campaign’s success.

He refuted the erroneous claim made by some residents that the vaccine has harmful effects on the health of children, reiterating that "the vaccines are approved and very safe."

The District Director of the Ghana Health Service, Bryan Sienso, in his remarks, encouraged caregivers to report any side effects resulting from the vaccine to the nearest health facility for prompt attention.

He noted that coverage for routine polio vaccinations has consistently remained above 90 per cent and therefore urged parents and teachers to ensure that no child is left out of the vaccination programme.