2012 First Round Polio NIDs

Ghana will conduct the first round of polio vaccination campaign for the year 2012 from 22nd – 24th March 2012. The objective is to prevent wild polio virus infection in order to sustain the polio-free status enjoyed in Ghana since November 2008. The target population will be children aged 0 – 59 months.

2012 Second Round Polio NIDs

To further protect children against polio, a second round nationwide polio vaccination has been scheduled from 10th – 12th May 2012. The target population will be children aged 0 – 59 months and it will be integrated with Child Health Promotion Week activities.

Commemoration of 2012 African Vaccination Week

Ghana will join the rest of Africa to commemorate the 2012 African Vaccination Week from 23rd – 27th April. The commemoration is another opportunity to advance our efforts in childhood immunizations in order to reduce child mortality. The goal of the African Vaccination Week initiative is to strengthen immunization programmes in the AFRO Region by drawing attention to, and increasing awareness of the importance, the need and the right of all persons to be protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Launching of New Vaccines in Ghana

Ghana is to introduce two new vaccines into the National Immunization Programme from May 2012. The two are pneumococcal vaccine for the prevention of pneumonia and meningitis in children and rotavirus vaccine for prevention of diarrhoea in children under five years.

As part of the plans to outdoor the new vaccines (pneumonia and rotavirus vaccines), the country will organize a national launch on Thursday 26th April 2012. Key personalities are expected at the launch among which are the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.

Introduction of New Vaccines into EPI

Effective 2nd May 2012, Ghana will introduce two new vaccines (pneumonia and rotavirus vaccines) to boost child survival in the country. The introduction of the new vaccines is intended to reduce morbidity and mortality due to pneumonia and diarrhoea diseases. The introduction will be preceded by advocacy and social mobilization activities to raise awareness. Training will also be conducted at all levels in the country.

2012 Child Health Promotion Week

Child Health Promotion Week, a week set aside to heighten awareness on child health services and provide services to children, will be commemorated from 7th – 11th May 2012. It will be integrated with activities for the second round polio vaccination campaign.

PAST EPI EVENTS

Introduction of 2nd dose measles vaccination

Ghana introduced 2nd dose measles vaccination at 18 months in the routine immunization programme from 1st February 2012. The overall objective is to maintain the reduction in incidence of measles and deaths due to measles towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal 4. A press briefing session was held on the 24th of January 2012 at the Civil Servants Association hall to officially brief the press and the general public on the introduction of 2nd dose measles vaccination in Ghana.