The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has vaccinated 20 Lepers at the Weija Gbawe Municipal Hospital to curb the spread of the COVID-19.

The exercise which took place at the Weija Leprosarium was to educate and vaccinate the inmates of the Leprosarium to receive their first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, (GNA) Mrs Abena Okoh, Director of Health Service, Weija/Gbawe Municipal, said the vaccine was safe and entreated everyone to go for it, especially the vulnerable, to prevent them from contracting the virus.

She said the exercise was to ensure that the inmates of the Leprosarium and the vulnerable within the Municipality were vaccinated.

"In all 26 persons have taken both jabs but we still have some, who have concerns because of the various rumours around but with persistent education, they have come to understand the benefits of the vaccination," she added.

Mrs Okoh said just like medicines and vaccines, the Covid-19 vaccine had minor side effects like headaches, fever and itching, which would last for a day or two and that should not prevent Ghanaians from getting vaccinated.

"Vaccination has been in existence for 43 years during the fights against Polio, measles, Ebola and more, with the normal side effects of high temperature, headache and more, so it is with the AstraZeneca vaccine," she added.

Speaking to the GNA, she said so far, 11,495 people had taken the first jab and 11,157 vaccinated for the second phase within the Municipality.

She advised that drinking lots of water and eating well after the vaccination would help in early recovery.

However, if the side effects get worse, one should not hesitate to visit a nearby clinic with their vaccination cards for free treatment.

She urged Ghanaians to strictly adhere to the safety protocols even after the two shots for safety reasons.

Mrs Okoh emphasized the need for citizens to adhere to the directive against mass gatherings, social distancing, washing of hands with soap under running water and wearing of face mask.

"Being vaccinated doesn't mean you should stop adhering to the protocols because the GHS and the WHO have not declared that the pandemic is over, we have to continue with the protocols till it's declared over," she said.

Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, the Founder of the Lepers Aid Committee, was present to help in the exercise.

The 20 inmates of the Leprosarium, who took the AstraZeneca vaccine, would have their second shot in eight weeks.