The United States Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Ghana has donated one hundred thousand (100,000) doses of anthrax vaccines in support of the government of Ghana and the U.N Food and Agriculture Organization’s anthrax vaccination campaign.
The campaign is expected to cover about one million animals across the Northern, North East, Upper East, Upper West and Savannah regions.
The USAID/Ghana Mission Director, Kimberly Rosen, speaking at the Annual Anthrax Vaccination Campaign launch in the Savelugu municipality on Wednesday (April 17, 2024) said globally, the vast majority (representing 75%) of emerging infectious disease threats originate from animals.
She added this coincides with an increasing number of people around the world who are living in proximity to animals due to deforestation, climate change and a variety of other factors.
“Livestock like cattle, sheep and goats have a high risk of transmission to humans and should be prioritized for vaccination” she observed, stating anthrax not only threatens human life when it infects livestock but it also threatens economic prosperity and food security.
In furtherance of this year’s vaccination campaign, Madam Rosen said the USAID is partnering with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to provide technical support for the vaccination campaign and monitor its roll out across northern Ghana. Additionally, she revealed the USAID is funding the Accelerating Social and Behavior Change Project to create awareness of the need for vaccinating animals.
Vaccines Manufacture
In support of domestic manufacturing capacity, the USAID purchased 100,000 anthrax vaccines from the Central Veterinary Laboratory at Pong-Tamale in the Savelugu municipality.
The USAID/Ghana Mission Director after a working tour of the facility intimated that with some automation and more investment, the laboratory could produce larger quantities of vaccines to meet national demand and for exportation.
“More vaccines mean healthier animals, safer humans and potential revenue and job creation for the Veterinary Service Department.”
Zipline Drone Service
Kimberly Rosen in her speech also acknowledged the impact and critical role of private sector partners such as Zipline Ghana who ensured the delivery of over 100,000 vaccines last year to about 15 districts in Ghana through the drone delivery service.
She indicated that the country’s partnership with Zipline ensured these critically needed vaccines were in the right place at the right time, saying, “We are proud of this innovative American company and the lifesaving services they provide every day for Ghanaians”.
