The Ministry of Health (MoH) has debunked viral claims that Sputnik-V and AstraZeneca vaccines are not effective against the deadly Indian strain of COVID-19, which is reported to have been detected at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
Following some media reports on the detection of the new strain in the country, MoH has said two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine are highly effective against hospitalization due to the Delta variant. There are no deaths among those vaccinated, citing Public Health England (PHE), as the source.
“The data also suggest that the AstraZeneca vaccine is effective against symptomatic disease caused by the Delta variant,” according to the statement issued by MoH.
Also, a study conducted by Gamaleya Center suggests that Sputnik-V is more efficient against the Delta of coronavirus, first detected in India compared to other COVID-19 vaccines.
“It must be noted that in the midst of global supply shortages, the MoH and GHS are diligently working with the government to ensure that adequate vaccines are procured to protect the population.”
“The MoH, GHS and the food and Drugs Authority (FDA) are working collaboratively to ensure that vaccines that come into the country are safe and effective.”
On the latest development at KIA, the statement signed by the Director-General, Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, clarified that all passengers who test positive on arrival are put under mandatory isolation, while positive samples are sent for further testing to identify the variants.
“Variants sequenced from samples of positive cases at the Airport do not necessarily end up in the community,” it stated.
Meanwhile as of now, the country has detected six Delta variants of COVID-19 from all samples taken between April and June 2021 at the ports of entry but “no Delta variant has been detected from samples taken from cases in the community.”
The public is, therefore, entreated to take advantage of vaccination when their turn is due in addition to following the COVID-19 protocols.
