The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has cautioned Ghanaians ahead of the Christmas festivities, that the country could record a new variant of COVID-19 if the necessary protocols which helps in preventing the spread of the disease are not adhered to.

The institution disclosed that, Ghana is likely to experience an escalation in the number of pandemic cases, given that some countries around the world have seen a surge in cases due to a change in weather conditions.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, Director General of the GHS, revealed the preparedness of the service to contain any possible upsurge during the festive season.

“There is also a potential for a new variant just like we had during the last Christmas -the Omicron variant. So, we also have to look at that as a risk factor, and so we need to be alert and make sure that we sustain the gains made so far, so we don’t go back to where we were many months ago.”
Dr Kuma Aboagye

The Director further stated that, the mass vaccination campaign re-launched last week ahead of the festive season, has recorded a little over one million people receiving the jab.

Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye urged opinion leaders to continue to entreat their members to take the vaccines.

Re- Launch Of Covid-19 Vaccination

The Ghana Health Service on Wednesday, December 14, commenced the vaccination of citizens who are yet to be vaccinated against Covid-19. This, the institution noted that, was part of the efforts to bring the country closer to the attainment of herd immunity.

The latest vaccination drive which ends today, Monday, December 19, 2022 was expected to last for five days to prevent a possible surge in cases of Covid-19 before, during and after the Christmas festivities. The vaccination is taking place in all government hospitals across the country, schools, hospitals, churches and mosques.

Under the theme, ‘Protect Yourself, Protect Your Family, Get Vaccinated Against Covid-19’, this edition was expected to vaccinate over 1.4 million people between 14th and 18th December 2022.

Pregnant women and all persons aged 15 years and above are eligible to receive the jab.

Existing Covid-19 prevention measures at the airport for visitors have been tightened to reduce the number of cases which may enter the country ahead of the festive season.