Health authorities in the Ashanti Region say over 11,000 people have been inoculated with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine in the region as of Monday, August 16, 2021.

The vaccination exercise began in the Ashanti region on Friday, August 13, 2021, in four administrative districts which have been identified as hotspots in the region.

The areas include Kumasi Metropolitan area, Oforikrom, Kwadaso, and Asokwa Municipalities.

Speaking at a news conference, the Ashanti Regional Health Director, Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang, reiterated the need for all persons above 18 years to take advantage of the available vaccines and get immunized.

“The vaccination started on Friday 13th in four districts. As of today [Monday, August 16], we have vaccinated about 11,000 people.”

“We are also running the second dose of the Sputnik vaccine, especially for the census enumerators,” he also indicated.

The directorate is looking to vaccinate some 50,000 persons in this round of Johnson & Johnson inoculation in four districts; namely Kwadaso, Kumasi metro, Oforikrom, and Asokwa.

Ghana has taken delivery of 177,600 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines to vaccinate people who are yet to receive a COVID-19 jab.

The vaccine is the first batch of the Africa Union’s African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) initiative delivered to Ghana.

In the Greater Accra Region, the vaccine shots are to be given out in seven districts, including Accra Metro, Okaikoi North, Ablekuma Central, Tema Metro, Ga South, Kpone Katamanso, and Adenta.