A resident takes her jab at the hospital
Over 500 people received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine on the first day of the five-day exercise at the Tema General Hospital on Monday. This is according to the hospital’s Administrator, Edward Sagoe.
Speaking to the media on the first day of the exercise, Mr Sagoe said: “So far so good, the patronage of the ongoing exercise has been so good, there has been massive turnout for the exercise.”
“In anticipation of the massive turnout, the management of the hospital created three vaccination enclaves within to decongest and also speed up the administering of the vaccine. Whatever doses of vaccine we received from the Directorate is what we administer,” he said.
Safety
Commenting on safety concerns raised by some members of the public, Mr Sagoe said once the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) had certified the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, it is good to go for its purpose. He noted that, unlike previous vaccines, they are mandated to administer only one dosage of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
He explained that the reason behind the single jab is because the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is different from the AstraZeneca vaccine which was administered earlier. He, therefore, called on the public to understand the process and abide with the authorities.
He advised the public to patronize the vaccination exercise because the jab is an immune booster and is an opportunity to fight COVID-19.
He added that none of those who received the vaccines complained of any side effects. He, however, encouraged those vaccinated to watch out for any symptoms, especially when they get home, and quickly report to the hospital should they experience any major side effects for prompt medical care.
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is being administered at the hospital under the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Regional Health Directorate (RHD). It is expected to boost the immune system and strengthen the anti-bodies of those who took the jab against the novel coronavirus and its related symptoms.
A total of 101,500 residents of the Tema Metropolis are expected to receive the single shot Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The exercise, which started on Monday August 16, is expected to end on Friday August 20, 2021.
The vaccine, according to the Ghana Health Directorate, is for persons aged 18 years and above with the exception of pregnant women and those who have already received the Astrazeneca or SPUTNIK V vaccines.
