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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is to introduce a new vaccine into the routine immunization throughout the country at every health facility on June 1st.

Dr Kwasi Yeboah-Awudzi, the Ashanti Regional Deputy Director of Public Health who gave the hint said the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) would be given to 14 weeks old babies for extra protection.

It was during a media launch of the IPV into the routine immunization schedule held in Kumasi.

Dr Yeboah-Awudzi said the IPV would be given as an injection on the right thigh of the child at 14 weeks along with OPV, Penta and Pneumo by trained health workers.

He noted that the IPV vaccination was a critical step to achieving a lasting polio free country.

IPV was safe and effective, whether given alone or in combination with other vaccines, the Deputy Director stated.

He said IPV has been used in over 60 countries worldwide, over decades, and that, it was better for the child to experience one brief moment of discomfort from multiple injections, than pain on two separate days or visits. Some children may react mildly to the vaccine, noted.