Ghana’s Wa West District achieves 92% yellow fever vaccination

In Ghana’s Wa West District, health workers vaccinated 225,446 people against yellow fever, achieving 92% coverage.

Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, confirmed the vaccine is free, safe, and internationally approved. The campaign focused on people aged 9 months to 60 years, vaccinating 79,238 men and 92,768 women. Dr.

Akoriyea expressed concern about low male participation and pledged to continue efforts to reach 100% coverage through house-to-house visits and vaccinations for nomadic Fulani herdsmen, a pastoralist group. He also instructed regional health officials to deploy 100 motorbikes to support the campaign, with 15 already delivered and the rest to be assembled locally. Responding to a shortage of healthcare staff, Dr. Akoriyea ordered the immediate release of five motorbikes to Siriyiri, where two nurses serve 2,360 people across five communities.

He stated the health service is committed to ensuring no one dies from yellow fever when a vaccine is available and referenced a presidential incentive for full vaccination coverage in Daffiama.