Ghana Health Service begins yellow fever vaccination campaign in three Upper West districts

Story by: Regina Bless

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has commenced a five-day yellow fever reactive vaccination campaign in the Wa West, Sissala East and Sissala West districts of the Upper West Region to contain the spread of the disease and protect residents.

The campaign, which began on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, is expected to end on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with approximately 244,869 people aged nine months to 60 years targeted for vaccination across the three districts.

To ensure widespread coverage, 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 ensure easy access to the vaccination services.

According to the Ghana Health Service, individuals vaccinated during the campaign are being issued yellow vaccination cards as official proof of vaccination. The public has been advised to keep the cards safely, as they may be required at health facilities, schools or during travel.

The Health Service emphasised that vaccination remains the most effective means of preventing yellow fever and controlling outbreaks. A single dose of the yellow fever vaccine provides long-lasting, generally lifelong protection for most people.

The GHS has therefore urged all eligible persons within the three districts to participate in the campaign to help achieve high vaccination coverage, interrupt the spread of the outbreak and safeguard public health.

The success of the exercise will depend largely on public participation and cooperation with health workers to ensure that eligible residents are vaccinated within the five-day period.