World Immunisation Week: Increase in unvaccinated children in Ghana raises concerns
A recent report based on the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) data has revealed a concerning trend in childhood vaccination rates, with a notable increase in the percentage of children aged 24 to 35 months who were not fully vaccinated according to the national schedule between 2014 and 2022.
According to the data, the percentage of children in this age range who were not fully vaccinated increased by 15.1 percentage points over an eight-year period.
In 2022, almost 3 in every 5 children (57.6%) had not received the full complement of vaccines recommended by the national schedule, compared to about 2 in every 5 (42.5%) in 2014.
Dr Kwame Asante, a public health expert, expressed concern over the findings. He stated: "This increase in unvaccinated children is alarming and poses significant public health risks. Vaccines are crucial for protecting children from preventable diseases, and any decline in vaccination rates is cause for concern."
The report also highlighted regional disparities in vaccination coverage, with more than half of children aged 24 to 35 months not fully vaccinated according to the national schedule in ten out of the 16 regions.
The Northern Region recorded the highest percentage, with four in every five children (81.5%) unvaccinated, followed by the Western Region (68.5%) and Savannah Region (66.9%).
However, there were notable exceptions, with the Volta Region reporting the lowest percentage of unvaccinated children (26.7%), followed by Greater Accra (40.4%).
As World Immunisation Week approaches, commemorated annually in the last week of April, health authorities are emphasising the importance of vaccination to save lives.
This year's celebration, which begins from Wednesday, 24 to Tuesday, 30th April, holds particular significance as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).
Dr Asante emphasised the critical role of immunisation in safeguarding public health, indicating: "World Immunization Week serves as a reminder of the lifesaving benefits of vaccines. We must redouble our efforts to ensure that all children have access to the vaccines they need to stay healthy and protected."
Efforts to address the decline in vaccination rates include targeted interventions to improve vaccine accessibility and awareness campaigns to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of childhood immunisation.
Source: classfmonline.com/Elikem Adiku
Trending News
Family of missing Ghanaian fisheries observer considers legal action as authorities withhold DNA test results
10:41Nurse who 'roasted' engineer husband jailed
11:45Stolen BRVs: Bi-partisan parliamentary probe non-negotiable-Omane Boamah
10:56Margins boss elected MOBA Ebusuapayin
11:23BoG Governor affirms commitment to excellence at National Banking College's 30th anniversary
00:11World Press Freedom Day: Africans embrace media's role in holding governments accountable - Afrobarometer
10:10Revoke your so-called 'Rep. of President' appointments – Minority to Chief of Staff
11:20AG’s advice to EOCO apt - Anti-corruption crusader
10:05Ghana’s landguards emboldened by influential personalities in the society - Security expert
12:30US Army Major convicted for smuggling guns to Ghana
11:13