COVID-19: GMA demands withdrawal of mandates on health workers

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) says it is in full support of the government’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination as outlined by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to stem the spread of the virus in the country.

The group, however, wants the government to exempt health workers from the mandatory vaccination directive.

In a statement, the GMA mentioned that it “fully supports the COVID-19 vaccination roll out and affirms that aside from people who are excluded for medical reasons, every person living in Ghana should be encouraged to get vaccinated.”

“While vaccines are generally safe and effective, persons who take the vaccines may suffer some side effects, as it may be the case with already existing vaccines that have been used for decades”, the statement added.

Regardless of its support for the COVID-19 vaccination directive, the GMA says the mandate if hastily implemented may actually worsen anti-vaccine sentiments and vaccine hesitancy.

“The GHS should withdraw their mandate issued to health workers who have not been vaccinated and the subsequent threat of job loss. While it may be well-intended, it has the potential of reducing the already stressed and depleted health workforce in place of a mandate. The GMA proposes that health workers who are unvaccinated produce evidence of a negative COVID-19 test”, the statement added.

The GMA is however of the considered opinion that while the government has the power to institute a vaccine mandate (as enshrined in the Public Health Act), vaccine mandates should only be issued as a last resort owing to the ethical, legal and practical challenges it may pose.

It also said it is also unaware of any Executive Instrument that has been promulgated given legal backing for any such vaccine mandate.

The GMA also proposes the following measures to encourage vaccination:

1. The Ghana Health Service should partner with Media houses, National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Religious Bodies, Traditional Authorities, etc. to ramp up public education on the need for COVID-19 vaccinations especially in local languages.
2. The Government, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and Ghana Health Service (GHS) should note the concerns of vaccine-hesitant individuals and groups and fashion out messages that directly address these concerns with local data and relevant information.
3. Vaccines should be made accessible to all Ghanaians and as close as possible to their doorsteps.

Other recommendations 

1. The Ministry of Health and its agencies should as a matter of urgency seek out health workers who have some concerns about the vaccines and address them directly, to encourage those who are yet to vaccinate to do so.
2. The strict enforcement of the COVID-19 preventive protocols should continue until the country achieves herd immunity through vaccination or a verifiable cure/treatment is found
3. We must all adhere to the preventive measures to ensure the safety of our families, friends and neighbours.