Director of Health for the Ashanti Region, Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang, has disclosed that the Ashanti Region has received some 70,300 AstraZeneca vaccines.

According to him, the doses which will be administered to persons who are yet to take their second jab of the vaccine, will commence from September 1.

Mr Tenkorang further advised persons who are yet to take the second jab to do so within the next few days.

“So, if you look at the last update, you realize that we are now getting to the tail end of our third wave. But we need to continue with what we’re already doing by adhering to the protocols and ensure that the vaccination programme that we’ve started in Ashanti continues. We have been given a total of 70, 300 doses of AstraZeneca and we are going to start immunization of all those who couldn’t get the opportunity to have their second dose. Those who had their first dose for AstraZeneca in Ashanti Region close to hundred thousand. We are encouraging all those who didn’t get their second dose to patronise this one because it’s very important. This vaccination is meant for those who have already taken their first doses of AstraZeneca and are waiting for their second dose.

“The program is starting on the 1^st of September and we will take five days to finish. So, we are encouraging everyone to take part. If you’ve taken your first dose, it’s very important to take your second dose and complete. A number of people have been complaining that their second dose have delayed and this is the time the government has done so well to get us this vaccine”.
Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang

Public cautioned against receiving wrong vaccines

Furthermore, the Ashanti Regional Director of health further warned the public from participating in the vaccination if they have not taken any doses yet or have received a different vaccine altogether.

“So, if you’ve taken Johnson & Johnson or you’ve taken Sputnik, or you’ve completed your dose for AstraZeneca, or you’ve not been vaccinated at all; this one is not for you. This particular vaccination is meant for those who are waiting for the second dose, AstraZeneca. As I said, we’ll give it to all health workers and then the general public who have been given their first dose [of] AstraZeneca. It’s very important we do that”.
Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang

Additionally, Mr Tenkorang urged individuals who are in the region to “take advantage and ensure that we are fully vaccinated for AstraZeneca”. That notwithstanding, he expressed optimism over the region’s containment of the third wave.

“So, when you get your second dose, that means that you’ve completed your dose for AstraZeneca. We have a backlog. Close to a hundred thousand people will be vaccinated but we have limited quantity of vaccines; that’s 70,000. The 30, 000 will come late. But we are encouraging you to make sure that you patronize so as to complete all these 70, 000 that we’ve been given in Ashanti Region.

“So far, we’ve done very well to contain the third wave. We are almost getting to the tail and I believe that when we adhere to the protocols and follow all the instructions that have been prescribed… we are very certain that we’ll conquer COVID-19”.
Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang