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Dr. George Bonsu, the national Programmes Manager for the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has appealed to the media and health workers to collaborate effectively towards elimination of yellow fever in the country.

He said fever, jaundice, headaches, muscle pain, fatigue, anorexia and vomiting remained some key symptoms of yellow fever, and advised the media to intensify public sensitisation so that suspected cases could easily be identified and reported to health facilities for attention.

Dr Bonsu gave the advice when he was speaking at the national launch of the Yellow fever prevention campaign in Sunyani.

The campaign, expected to vaccinate 5,364,275 people and scheduled for November 28th to December 4th has targeted people between 10 to 60 years and would be conducted free of charge in 65 Districts in the country.

Dr Bonsu said public sensitisation on symptoms of yellow fever was very important because about 15 per cent of affected persons develop severe complications.

The theme for the campaign is “Get Vaccinated. Be Protected Against Yellow Fever”.

Dr Bonsu said it was the responsibility of the media and health workers to assist to educate the public about prevention of the yellow fever disease.

The Program Manager added Ghana is among the 47 countries which were at risk of yellow fever epidemic, hence the need for the media and all stakeholders to support the campaign of eliminating the disease.

Yellow fever vaccination, Dr Bonsu explained remained safer, effective and provided protection against the disease and therefore underscored the need for the general public to be well-informed about the campaign for success.