The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in partnership with its stakeholders is set to roll out a cholera vaccination campaign from Thursday, December 19 to Sunday, December 22, 2024.

The initiative aims to vaccinate individuals aged one year and above to curb the risk of cholera outbreaks in vulnerable communities.

It is also a direct response to the rise in the number of cholera cases recorded in some parts of the country.

Vaccination rollout

A statement issued by the Health Promotion Department (HPD) of the GHS said the campaign would involve trained vaccination teams moving from door to door and setting up designated centres to administer the vaccine.

“Residents are encouraged to look out for these teams or visit the nearest vaccination centre during the campaign period,” it said.

The oral cholera vaccine, which is administered as drops, is free, safe and highly effective, the statement added.

The GHS urged community members to take advantage of the opportunity to protect themselves and their families.

Preventive measures

The statement also emphasised that the vaccine would not replace other preventive measures and, therefore, advised individuals to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation practices.

The statement also encouraged all eligible individuals to participate in the campaign to ensure the success of the public health intervention.

“The cholera vaccine is a vital tool in protecting lives, but it is equally important for community members to adopt preventive hygiene measures to ensure sustained protection,” the statement said.

It also urged residents to cooperate with vaccination teams and visit centres in their communities during the campaign period to receive the vaccine.

Cases

A cholera outbreak was declared in the Greater Accra Region (GAR) of Ghana, with 93 suspected cases and one death reported as of October 11, 2024.

The outbreak’s initial case was recorded on October 4, when an individual sought medical care for cholera-like symptoms after attending a funeral in the Ada East District.

The disease has since spread to other parts of the country including the Western and Central regions.

The affected communities rely on unprotected wells, boreholes and sachet water as their primary sources of drinking water.

Poor sanitation conditions, including widespread open defecation due to limited access to toilet facilities, have further exacerbated the situation.

This marks the most significant cholera event in Ghana since the 2014–2015 epidemic, which saw over 28,000 cases reported, the GHS said.