The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye has intimated that the country has so far received about 956,000 AstraZeneca vaccines.

He said out of this number, his outfit has given out the first dose as it started on the 2nd March, 2021 and has so far vaccinated nearly 850,00 people.

“The first phase was the first segmentation where we had over 60,000 doses for those with the security services that is the armed of government etc were all vaccinated. We have also received 315,000 from the MTN foundation through the AU and that has currently been done with.”
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye

Speaking in an interview, he revealed that nearly all the health workers across the country have received their first jabs of the vaccine. vaccines GHS

“I will say it has been completed, that is for those[health workers] who are available to be vaccinated. But of course, some are on leave and as we continue, we will continue vaccinating just like we are doing.”
Dr. Kuma–Aboagye

Dr. Kuma-Aboagye further debunks claims that the vaccination exercise has been halted. He disclosed that his outfit is rather working very hard to take in more AstraZeneca doses of the vaccine as they wait for the second dose.

“Our vaccination has not stopped. We have other options like Sputnik that will come in very soon and we are currently preparing to train on that. Every vaccine has its mode of deployment and so we need to do that. We are currently doing an orientation on which we will be able to look at that.

“I am very confident that, based on the bilateral arrangement that is currently going on, including COVAX vaccines, we will be able to start not just the second but also be able to give more people their first dose.”
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye

Nation must hopefully get more Sputnik vaccine

The health director further noted that his outfit’s plan is not to stop vaccination. He said they will continue as and when the vaccines arrive in the country and it is ready for use. He also indicated that, the GHS will also continue to deploy till they meet the specified target.

“I think that will be very crucial as we have a significant number of who are yet to take their first jab.”
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye

Moreover, Dr. Kuma- Aboagye averred that it is his hope the nation gets more than the expected three million Sputnik vaccines. He said when the schedule for the vaccination is ready it will be shared publicly.

Despite the delay in the procurement of vaccines, the health director assured that between May and June the nation should be able to take delivery of some vaccines.

According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in its latest update, 84 new COVID-19 cases have been reported while active cases stands at 1,414. HS

Out of the 91,260 Ghanaians who have been infected by the virus, 89, 092 have recovered and discharged from the health facilities. Two deaths have also been recording moving the count from 752 to 754. vaccines GHS