The first 600,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to Ghana. These vaccines are part of the 2,4 million doses that the COVAX facility expects to deliver to the country over the first half of the year. The 24th of February, Ghana thus became the first country to receive coronavirus vaccines through the COVAX scheme.
Team Europe was present at the arrival ceremony as the EU is a major donor to the initiative. Presence included the Head of the EU Delegation, Mrs. Diana Acconcia, and the Ambassadors of Italy and Spain. Ghanaian officials, UNICEF, WHO, the United Kingdom, and the United States were also present. Ghana’s Health Minister-Designate Mr. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu gave a speech.
At the arrival, the atmosphere was cheerful. All stakeholders were proud of Ghana being the first country to receive COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX. The pride is deserved, as Ghana has a well-prepared plan for the vaccinations and has advocated strongly in order to be at the forefront of consignments.
The official launch of the vaccination campaign will be held on Tuesday 2 March. High-profile Ghanaians are expected to be vaccinated at the event. The vaccination of the population will then start with front-line health workers and other people at high-risk.
