GHS assures public HINI vaccine is safe

Takoradi, Aug. 21, GNA - The Western Regional Office of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Friday assured the general public that, the HINI vaccines injected against contracting the HINI swine flu is very safe.

Dr Kwaku Karikari, Deputy Medical Director, in charge of Public Health, said this at a press conference in Takoradi, to diffuse fears entertained about the vaccines.

He said the side effects experienced after the injection was just temporary and not serious or life threatening as speculated by some people.

He stated that the vaccines were tested and proven to be very potent before being brought into the country, saying that, patronage at the initial stages of the injection was overwhelming, until the rumour about its potency, which discouraged others.

Dr Karikari however, said with the assurance from the GHS people have started going for the vaccination, which is free and still ongoing until the end of August.

According to him, health personnel were aware of the slight headaches, sleeplessness, tiredness; swollen armpit and bodily warmth that would be experienced, describing them are normal and allayed the fears of the public that it was harmful.

He said as at now, no death had been recorded; therefore the claim that some people had died as a result of the HINI injection was being investigated to know what actually caused the alleged deaths.

The Medical Doctor stressed that only people between the ages of 18 and 60 were eligible to take the injection, therefore those outside the age group should take extra precaution to avoid contracting the disease.

He mentioned fever, sore throat, cough and headaches as some of the symptoms of the swine flu, urging the public to visit the health centres anytime they experience such symptoms.

"Do not wait until your situation gets serious before seeking medical attention," he said.

He said 23 people were tested positive out of 87 samples taken in the Western Region, saying that, the patronage was encouraging as the regional coverage stands at 64.3 percent.

Mr Peter Ofori Tweneboah, Regional Coordinator for Immunization, in a presentation, showed that coverage vaccination was not too bad and encouraged those who have not been injected to do so.