Western Region achieves 102 percent immunization coverage

Sekondi, Dec 06, GNA - Some 652,715 children were immunized against polio in the first round of this year's National Immunization Programme in the Western Region, Dr Linda Vanotoo, the Deputy Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), said on Tuesday. She told a press briefing in Sekondi that the region exceeded its target of 652,000 children to be immunized, achieving 102 percent coverage.

The Aowin-Suaman District recorded the highest immunization figure of 49,820 children while the Amenfi East District had the lowest figure of 29,858 children.

Dr Vanotoo said about 21 children were found in four districts that had not had dosage of the polio vaccine at all.

She mentioned the districts as the Sefwi Wiawso where one unimmunized child was found, Bia, three children, Wassa West, 10 children and Aowin-Suaman, 7 children.

Dr Vanotoo said the districts have been asked to put in place measures to ensure extensive immunization coverage particularly in the communities where the children live.

She said the government contributed 10 billion cedis towards the first round of the immunization throughout the country. Dr Vanotoo said the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) would financially support the second round of the programme from December 9 to 11 this year.

She said children would not be given vitamin A capsules in the second round. The capsules should be taken at least four months apart but a dose was given a month ago in the first round.