Ghana Health Service announces Yellow Fever Immunization

Hundreds of people are queuing up at health centres across Ghana as health officials Tuesday began a five-day yellow fever vaccination exercise.

The exercise is taking place in 43 districts. One person has so far died from what officials say is an outbreak of the yellow fever disease.

The preventive exercise is targeted at persons ten years and above. Pregnant women are excluded.

In areas where cases have been recorded, children aged one and above will be vaccinated as well.

At the Adabraka Polyclinic in Accra, 200 people had been vaccinated as at 3pm, Tuesday.

Dora Ansah who was part of the vaccination team told Myjoyonline.com the major challenge the exercise faced was the fear by patrons of a painful process.

According to her, a number of people stayed away from the vaccination, afraid it might be is painful, a situation she described as most unfortunate. She said vaccination is not painful, adding, the cost of not taking the vaccine is deadly.

The team also faced communication challenges as some of the people who came for the vaccination did not know their full names, dates and places of birth.

Some of those who successfully went through with the vaccination said they were excited about it.

Yellow Fever is a deadly viral disease spread by infected mosquitoes.

According to the Ghana Health Service, one out of two persons may die if infected with the disease.