The Ayawaso Central Municipal Office of the National Commission for Civic Education has rolled out a massive child vaccination awareness campaign across the municipality.

The exercise, which was carried out among Faith–Based Organisations and identifiable groups, was intended to drive home the relevance of periodic child immunisation to prevent deadly childhood diseases.

The main highlight of the programme was to focus on community engagement activities to enhance vaccination intake, which was carried out in communities such as Kokomlemle, New Town, Kotobabi, and Alajo, among others.

It was on the theme “Every child deserves a healthy future; invest in your child. Attend weighing regularly.”

Every year, in the months of April and May, Ghana celebrates the African Vaccination Week and Child Health Promotion Week with the aim of raising awareness about essential child health services.

The programme, organised in collaboration with the Municipal Health Directorate, was undertaken through community engagements, distributing flyers and educational talks.

Madam Rhoda Akuetteh, the Ayawaso Central Municipal NCCE Director, mentioned that everyone has a role to play to ensure children are healthy and grow up to realise their full potential.

She said vaccinations were generally safe and effective, and most often, there were no side effects.

However, she added that some babies and children may have some mild reactions after vaccination, such as irritability, loss of appetite, fever, fatigue, diarrhoea and vomiting.

According to her, all should play their part, from advocacy for support for child health interventions through to reaching every eligible person with vaccination.

Madam Dora Hammond, NCCE, Director for Administration, advised participants and audiences in the engagement process to communicate to their relatives and neighbours on the benefits of vaccination.

Interacting with the Ghana Traders and Dressmakers Association at New Town, she impressed on them to spread the message to their clients in their own small ways.

A key feature of the campaign was to dispel myths about vaccines while promoting adherence to the immunisation schedule and encouraging communities to take responsibility in protecting children.

Throughout the campaign, which is ongoing, residents and participants demonstrated their enthusiasm for the cause, pledging to take the message to their families and neighbours.