Ghana has made history as President Nana Akufo-Addo became the first person in the world to receive a coronavirus vaccine delivered through Covax, the global initiative aimed at providing free vaccines to lower-income nations.
The vaccination, broadcast live on Monday, marked a significant milestone in global efforts to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 protection.
Covax: A Lifeline for Lower-Income Nations
Covax, co-led by Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), was established to address vaccine inequity by supplying doses at no cost to poorer countries.
While wealthier nations have rapidly advanced their inoculation campaigns, many developing countries have been forced to wait months for their first shipments.
On February 24, Ghana became the first country to receive Covax shipments, welcoming 600,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in India.
This delivery marked the beginning of Covax’s global distribution, with plans to provide 337.2 million doses to 145 participating economies by mid-year — enough to vaccinate just over three percent of their combined populations. By the end of 2021, Covax aims to increase coverage to 27 percent in lower-income countries.
Leading by Example
President Akufo-Addo, 76, received his jab of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine on live television, stating:
“It is important that I set the example that this vaccine is safe by being the first to have it, so that everybody in Ghana can feel comfortable about taking this vaccine.”
His decision to be vaccinated publicly was aimed at combating misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, encouraging citizens to participate in the rollout. First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo also received her vaccination during the same event.
The government plans to begin deploying the doses nationwide on Tuesday, targeting health workers, people over 60, and those with underlying health conditions in the initial phase.
Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority has approved both the Indian-made AstraZeneca vaccine and Russia’s Sputnik V for use in its immunization campaign.
Ghana’s Vaccination Goals and COVID-19 Situation
Ghana’s objective is to vaccinate 20 million of its 30 million citizens by the end of 2021. Since the pandemic began, the country has recorded 84,023 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 607 deaths. However, health officials believe the actual numbers may be higher due to limited testing.
Schools reopened in January after a 10-month closure, but strict preventive measures remain in place. Large social gatherings are still banned, and the nation’s land and sea borders have remained closed since March 2020.
Despite the vaccine rollout, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that all current restrictions will stay in effect for now, highlighting the need for continued vigilance to curb the spread of the virus.
A Step Towards Global Vaccine Equity
The start of Ghana’s vaccination campaign is seen as a breakthrough moment for global health equity. It sends a strong signal to other lower-income nations that COVID-19 vaccines are on the way through Covax, despite challenges in production, logistics, and distribution.
Public health experts hope that Ghana’s high-profile launch, with the president leading by example, will inspire confidence and accelerate vaccination efforts in other participating countries.
