Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Franklin Asiedu Bekoe, has disclosed that, a new hologram and QR code has been developed to authenticate the vaccination status of Ghanaians.

According to him, the features are embedded into the existing Covid-19 user card. He further explained that, the new card will ensure that individuals receiving the second dose have qualified and in good health as a result of the vaccination.

“We have made an upgrade of the existing card. So, there is this new card that has a hologram in it, so when you get a second dose; we now put a hologram that testifies that you are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

“This new card also has a QR code, that is going to help us validate or authenticate those who have actually been vaccinated”.

Pregnant women advised against vaccination

Additionally, Dr. Bekoe insisted that pregnant women must avoid vaccination at all cost. He further noted that women who prior to taking the first jab tested negative for pregnancy but are currently pregnant are exempted from vaccinating.

”Unless we get clear evidence that pregnant people can take it, I think that is not advisable.

“The vaccines are not to be used on certain categories of persons; that is pregnant women and children under 16 because the clinical trials that were done did not cover such persons”.

The Director of Public Health further revealed that the first jab provides almost eighty percent protection. As such, for those who don’t get the second jab have no cause to worry.

“I don’t think you should be so worried; although, the best is that you get a double dose so that we can be sure that you have the protection.”

Second batch of COVID-19 vaccines

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo in his 25th Address to the nation disclosed that effective Wednesday, May 19, 2021, the second dose of Covid-19 vaccines will begin rolling out.

According to him, the vaccines will be rolled out “to persons in 43 districts” in Accra and other regions. Moreover, this will include the Ashanti and Central regions which have received their first dose of the vaccine.

“In the past few days, Government has, through COVAX, received an additional three hundred and fifty-thousand doses of AstraZeneca vaccines.

“I’m happy to announce that beginning Wednesday, 19th of May to Wednesday, 26th May; the deployment of the 2nd dose of vaccines will take place across the designated vaccination centres in the 43 districts approximately 12 weeks after the first jab; as the science prescribes.

“More details of the deployment will be communicated by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the coming week”.

He also revealed that, “government is making all efforts to achieving the overall vaccination target”.

“We are expecting an additional 300,000 doses of Sputnik 5 vaccines which have already been approved by the Food and Drugs Authority to arrive in the country. As when we make progress in the acquisition of vaccines, the Health and Information Ministries will make this known to the public”.