The Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Fred Adomako-Boateng, has called for increased public awareness on vaccination as Ghana marks African Vaccination Week.
Speaking at a media briefing in Kumasi, he described vaccines as one of the most effective tools for preventing diseases and saving lives.
Dr. Adomako-Boateng said vaccines have saved more than 154 million lives globally over the past 50 years, which translates to about six lives every minute.
He added that consistent immunisation efforts have improved infant survival rates by 42 percent in recent years.
The campaign, which runs alongside World Immunization Week, aims to promote equal access to vaccines and strengthen immunisation systems.
Dr. Adomako-Boateng noted that vaccines protect against more than 30 life-threatening diseases, including malaria, cholera, meningitis, and COVID-19.
He also raised concerns about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a virus transmitted through sexual contact and responsible for most cervical cancer cases.
According to him, cervical cancer remains a leading cause of death among women in sub-Saharan Africa due to late detection and limited access to treatment.
He urged parents to ensure that girls aged nine to 14 receive the HPV vaccine early to protect them before exposure to the virus.
