GHS targets 244,869 people in Upper West yellow fever vaccination campaign

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has begun a five-day yellow fever vaccination campaign in three districts of the Upper West Region, targeting about 244,869 people to help contain the outbreak and protect communities from the disease.

The campaign, which began on Wednesday, is being conducted in the Wa West, Sissala East and Sissala West districts and is expected to end on Sunday, October 18, 2026. It targets eligible persons aged between nine months and 60 years.

To ensure that residents can access the vaccine easily, trained health workers have been deployed to health facilities and temporary vaccination centres established at strategic public locations, including markets, bus stations, churches, mosques and schools.

Mobile vaccination teams are also visiting communities, towns and villages to reach eligible residents and expand coverage across the three districts.

The GHS is issuing yellow vaccination cards to everyone vaccinated during the exercise as official proof of immunisation. Residents are advised to keep the cards safely, as they may be required when accessing health services, enrolling in schools or travelling.

Yellow fever vaccination remains a key measure for preventing the disease and controlling outbreaks. According to the GHS, a single dose of the vaccine provides lifelong protection, making immunisation essential to safeguarding individuals and communities.

The Service has therefore urged all eligible residents in the three districts to take advantage of the campaign and get vaccinated.

It said strong public participation would be crucial to achieving high vaccination coverage, interrupting the spread of the outbreak and protecting the health and well-being of communities in the affected areas.