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H1N1 Vaccine Controversy...Ghana Health Service Reacts

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  • H1N1 Vaccine Controversy...Ghana Health Service Reacts

    H1N1 Vaccine Controversy...Ghana Health Service Reacts

    Date: 07-Jul-2010


    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has cautioned the public to report to vaccination centers or nearest health centers any side effects after receiving the H1N1 vaccines.

    Director in charge of vaccination, Dr. Nana Antwi Adjei, said GHS was aware of the side effects of the vaccine and had given out compliant form to be filled by patients who experience those effects.
    This according to him, that would enable his outfit determine if the vaccines should be continued in use or discontinued. Dr. Nana Antwi Adjei disclosed this to The New Crusading Guide in an interview in Accra.

    He said GHS was closely monitoring the reactions the H1N1 vaccines impose on patients, adding that it would not hesitate to withdraw them if the side effects exceeded more than required.

    “We have given out complaint forms at every vaccination center across the country and are expecting people to report,” he said. “The manufacturer had inscribed the side effects and we have trained our teams in charge of vaccination at every district to inform the patients before they take the injection but unfortunately, most of them do not report again after taking the injection,” he included.

    As at 30 June 898 cases of the pandemic influenza had been recorded out of 7,192 samples screened from all the regions of Ghana, except the Upper East Region. One death however, was recorded in the Greater Accra Region.

    The vaccination, which began on 14 June this year, has been catering for some selected groups of people. So far, only 2,300,0000 doses of the vaccines have been received from the World Health Organization.

    Nana Antwi Adjei explained, “Considering the population of Ghana the available vaccines could cater for about 10% of people in the country. It was in view of this that the GHS decided to vaccinate the high risk groups (health workers security personnel) and vulnerable people including those with chronic diseases.”

    Twitter: @RonanKelly13
    The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

  • #2
    Re: H1N1 Vaccine Controversy...Ghana Health Service Reacts

    The Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine is safe
    July 08, 2010
    Accra, July 8, GNA - The Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Wednesday gave the assurance that as far as available evidence indicates, the Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine is safe.

    However, it was following up and monitoring reports on all adverse reactions following the vaccinations, just as being done after all vaccinations, to inform policy decisions.

    This was contained in a statement issued by GHS and signed by Ms Rebecca Ackwonu, Public Relations Officer, on public reactions to the vaccination.

    The statement said "our attention has been drawn to media reports of adverse reactions following vaccinations with the Influenza 'A' (H1N1) vaccine.

    "Even though such adverse reactions following vaccination and even after any drug administration are not unusual, the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service wish to indicate that we take such reports with all seriousness and are following all such adverse events, including the death of someone in Accra.

    "We wish to assure all that the vaccines in question are WHO pre-qualified after satisfying relevant procedures, including safety and efficacy trials. We are aware of associated adverse reactions, following such vaccinations but almost all of them are minor, except an occasional severe event," it added.

    It said that was why, as part of the vaccination exercise, post-exposure surveillance had been instituted with all people who received the vaccine. Those vaccinated are advised to report all adverse reactions to the nearest health facility for appropriate management and documentation.

    It said so far, over two million doses of the vaccine had been given to individuals, and almost all reported that the reactions had been mild such as pain and stiffness at the site of injection, fever, headache, running nose and occasional lump in the armpit, almost all of which had resolved after a few days.

    Influenza A H1N1 is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus, and since the first cases were identified in Mexico in April 2009, many countries have registered cases.

    Since the first case was identified in August 2009 in Ghana, surveillance, public education and patient care have ensured reasonable reduction in transmission.

    To date, about 907 cases have been confirmed in Ghana with one infant death.

    Globally, as of July 2, 2010, 61 countries had completed vaccine deliveries to protect their population, administering 45,440,550 doses.

    Ghana started its vaccination against Influenza H1N1 on June 14 and has to date administered two million doses including 1,500 individuals who were protected before travelling to South Africa for the World Cup Tournament.

    The pandemic influenza vaccine used in Ghana is Pandemrix. The vaccine is safe and complies with WHO recommendation. One dose (0.5ml) administered into the left shoulder muscles provide protection.
    The vaccine is not administered to pregnant women in their first trimester and people with known hypersensitivity reaction to any of the vaccine constituents.

    Ghana received 2.3 million doses of Pandemrix. The priority groups receiving the vaccine are healthcare professionals, pregnant women, some security personnel and certain individuals.

    Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) surveillance is kept as in routine immunization and mass campaign exercises. AEFI Forms are available in all health facilities to record and investigate all reports of adverse events linked to vaccine administration.

    Where adverse effects are reported, District Health Teams conduct follow up investigations and make the appropriate recommendations for action.

    There are adequate preparations in all vaccination points in Ghana to manage serious rare and uncommon adverse events.

    In a mass campaign of this nature it is not unexpected that a few individuals may come up with uncommon or rare adverse events.

    It is, therefore, advised that anyone who feels unwell or have any complain and feels it could be related to H1N1 vaccination should report to the nearest facility.
    GNA
    ghananewsagency.org is your first and best source for all of the information you’re looking for. From general topics to more of what you would expect to find here, ghananewsagency.org has it all. We hope you find what you are searching for!
    Twitter: @RonanKelly13
    The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: H1N1 Vaccine Controversy...Ghana Health Service Reacts

      H1N1 vaccine 'kills' womanBy Citifmonline.com | Thu 22nd July, 2010 12:16 GMT
      A 31-year old nursing mother from Asaman Tamfoe in the Eastern region has died, apparently, from the side effects of the H1N1 vaccination.

      The Brother-in-law to the deceased told Citi News that Akosua Okyere died a week after taking the flu shot almost a month ago.

      The mother of three was nursing a seven month old baby girl. Nana Boakye Darkwa said her healthy sister-in-law suffered serious side effects days after the vaccination.

      Over two thousand Ghanaians are expected to be given the H1N1 shot countrywide.

      There have been several reports of fatal side effects suffered by people who took the shot.

      However Health Minister Dr Benjamin Kumbuor told Parliament on Monday that not a single person has died from the shot. His comments however angered Nana Boakye Darkwa who said it is a shame for a minister to make such comments.

      "It hurts when people talk about this vaccine that it doesn?t harm anybody or nobody has died from the vaccine because we go and cue to vote and give the mandate to rule and the politicians come one after the other and lie to us. Where are the monitors from Ministry of health who have been denying that the vaccine has not had any negative effect on anybody or nobody had died from it?"

      "It is a shame for a whole minister to come out and say that nobody has complained that they?ve lost their relative through this vaccine. It is a big shame if this is how politicians are going to manage the affairs of this country".

      Meanwhile over 20 students of the Presby Junior High School in Kade, also in the Eastern region have been diagnosed with the flu.

      Head Teacher of the school, Samuel Kwakye Mamfi confirmed the incident to Citi News Correspondent Kwame Appiah Kubi.

      "I read through the forms and I suspected something like H1N1 but the students have been treated and are back to school...we are still keeping the children and if we see anything suspicious we will call the officers back".

      Twitter: @RonanKelly13
      The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: H1N1 Vaccine Controversy...Ghana Health Service Reacts

        Takoradi, Aug. 21, GNA - The Western Regional Office of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Friday assured the general public that, the HINI vaccines injected against contracting the HINI swine flu is very safe.

        Dr Kwaku Karikari, Deputy Medical Director, in charge of Public Health, said this at a press conference in Takoradi, to diffuse fears entertained about the vaccines.

        He said the side effects experienced after the injection was just temporary and not serious or life threatening as speculated by some people.

        He stated that the vaccines were tested and proven to be very potent before being brought into the country, saying that, patronage at the initial stages of the injection was overwhelming, until the rumour about its potency, which discouraged others.

        Dr Karikari however, said with the assurance from the GHS people have started going for the vaccination, which is free and still ongoing until the end of August.

        According to him, health personnel were aware of the slight headaches, sleeplessness, tiredness; swollen armpit and bodily warmth that would be experienced, describing them are normal and allayed the fears of the public that it was harmful.

        He said as at now, no death had been recorded; therefore the claim that some people had died as a result of the HINI injection was being investigated to know what actually caused the alleged deaths.

        The Medical Doctor stressed that only people between the ages of 18 and 60 were eligible to take the injection, therefore those outside the age group should take extra precaution to avoid contracting the disease.

        He mentioned fever, sore throat, cough and headaches as some of the symptoms of the swine flu, urging the public to visit the health centres anytime they experience such symptoms.

        "Do not wait until your situation gets serious before seeking medical attention," he said.

        He said 23 people were tested positive out of 87 samples taken in the Western Region, saying that, the patronage was encouraging as the regional coverage stands at 64.3 percent.

        Mr Peter Ofori Tweneboah, Regional Coordinator for Immunization, in a presentation, showed that coverage vaccination was not too bad and encouraged those who have not been injected to do so.

        Takoradi, Aug. 21, GNA - The Western Regional Office of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Friday assured the general public that, the HINI vaccines injected against contracting the HINI swine flu is very safe.

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