12 December 2014 | Written by Benjamin Glover - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/35301-child-welfare-centres-in-tema-run-short-of-whooping-cough-vaccine.html#sthash.8IErBSmj.dpuf
Child welfare clinics, popularly called “weighing centres,†in the Tema Metropolis and its environs are experiencing a temporary shortage of Pertussis vaccines.
Pertussis vaccine is usually administered as a component of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccines at six weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks, after the birth of a child, to protect them against whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria and haemophilus influenzae type B.
As a result of the shortage, nursing mothers who report to these facilities to have their infants immunised with the vaccines are being turned away.
Whooping cough, known medically as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection.Â
Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, whooping cough may eventually become more serious, particularly in infants.Â
Lack of Pertussis can lead to serious illness in infants, children and adults and can even be life-threatening, especially in infants.
When contacted, the Metropolitan Director of Health, Dr John Yabani, said he was informed that there was a general shortage last week but as of Wednesday, the directorate had received some stock from the regional office and that would be made available to the various immunisation centres in the metropolis.
He, therefore, allayed the fears of nursing mothers, saying all efforts were being made to resolve the issue.
“They collected my mobile phone number and said they would contact me when the vaccine was available,†said Madam Gladys Eshun who added that she had earlier been to the Tema Manhean Health Centre where she was referred to the TMA Clinic but was told to go and come at a later date.Â
A health worker at one of the centres, who pleaded anonymity, during a follow-up visit by this reporter, said they have had to turn away nursing mothers because they were experiencing shortages.Â
“As a result of the shortage, we are deferring the administration of the DTP, while continuing to do the rest of our work. We have decided to take the telephone numbers of the nursing mothers so that as and when we take delivery of the vaccines, we will call them to bring their children for vaccination,†she said.
“I have been informed that there is a general shortage even in Accra and we would want to appeal to the authorities to remedy the situation,†the health worker said.
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Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh
- See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/35301-child-welfare-centres-in-tema-run-short-of-whooping-cough-vaccine.html#sthash.8IErBSmj.dpuf
As a result of the shortage, nursing mothers who report to these facilities to have their infants immunised with the vaccines are being turned away.
Whooping cough, known medically as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection.Â
Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, whooping cough may eventually become more serious, particularly in infants.Â
Lack of Pertussis can lead to serious illness in infants, children and adults and can even be life-threatening, especially in infants.
When contacted, the Metropolitan Director of Health, Dr John Yabani, said he was informed that there was a general shortage last week but as of Wednesday, the directorate had received some stock from the regional office and that would be made available to the various immunisation centres in the metropolis.
He, therefore, allayed the fears of nursing mothers, saying all efforts were being made to resolve the issue.
Worried nursing mothers
Some worried nursing mothers who were turned away due to the shortage after visiting the Tema General Hospital, Tema Metropolitan Assembly  Clinic and the Tema Manhean Health Centre’s weighing facilities told the Daily Graphic that they were asked to come back at a later date when the vaccine was expected to be available.“They collected my mobile phone number and said they would contact me when the vaccine was available,†said Madam Gladys Eshun who added that she had earlier been to the Tema Manhean Health Centre where she was referred to the TMA Clinic but was told to go and come at a later date.Â
A health worker at one of the centres, who pleaded anonymity, during a follow-up visit by this reporter, said they have had to turn away nursing mothers because they were experiencing shortages.Â
“As a result of the shortage, we are deferring the administration of the DTP, while continuing to do the rest of our work. We have decided to take the telephone numbers of the nursing mothers so that as and when we take delivery of the vaccines, we will call them to bring their children for vaccination,†she said.
“I have been informed that there is a general shortage even in Accra and we would want to appeal to the authorities to remedy the situation,†the health worker said.
Â
Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh
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