General news from Saturday, February 6, 2021
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
2021-02-06
Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority, Prof. Alexander Dodoo
The Director General of the Ghana Standards Authority, Prof. Alexander Dodoo, revealed that to reduce the spread of Coronavirus in the country, people with strong immunity will be the first to be vaccinated when the country receives the first batch of vaccines.
Ghana is expected to receive 19.5 million doses of vaccines by the end of June and, according to Prof. Dodoo, children, pregnant women, people with allergies and underlying health problems and the elderly will not be vaccinated against the new coronavirus.
Prof. Dodoo, who made this comment on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, explained that “normally to begin with, children will not be included, are more protected and do not transmit the virus. Those with allergies, those with underlying health problems, those whose immune systems appear to be compromised will not be vaccinated. “
The head of the GSA also noted that there is no scientific data to prove that the vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their unborn babies, hence the decision not to vaccinate them.
However, he was quick to add that a pregnant woman can be vaccinated based on a doctor’s recommendation after measuring the risks and benefits of getting the vaccine.
“You have to look at her as an individual and judge by the potential benefits and damages that you know can also happen and make a call,” he explained.
People with HIV / AIDS, undergoing cancer treatment and the elderly will also not be vaccinated.
Dr. Dodoo also said that although the vaccine is safe, health professionals need to prepare Ghanaian minds for side effects after taking it.
“We need to prepare the public not only for the vaccine, but also to hope that the protection offered by the vaccine carries some risk. There will be side effects. And it will not be 100% safe. It never happens. Therefore, we need to communicate that there will be many benefits, but there will be a measurable amount of tolerable risk for which the population must be prepared, ”he said.