Members of the public have started shying away from the H1N1 flu vaccination following several reported cases of adverse effects from those who have taken the vaccination. The effects complained of are weak joints, headache, dizziness, symptoms of malaria, palpitation, swollen face, among others.

"The only information the nurse provided was that the injection was painful but I should try and endure. But after the injection I started experiencing acute pain at my shoulder and I became very weak as if I have been ill for a long time and I?m now recovering," 20-year-old Nana Yaa shared her experience with the Public Agenda.

Kwame Osei, 25 years, made known the nightmare he went through following the vaccination. "I was vaccinated in the morning but around 9:00pm I started experiencing intense palpitation. Finally I had to go to the clinic where I was given medication and came back home."

Akua Safoa, a 35-year-old dressmaker, disclosed, "The next day after the ejection my face got swollen and I became very weak".

In a related development, Mr. Ramon Osei Akoto, Leader of the United Love Party, has called into question the safety of the H1N1 vaccine describing it as "deadly as the actual virus". He has accordingly intimated that the vaccination should be discontinued.

He based his call on information he gathered from a website by the Organic Health Advisor which has copious data on the adverse effects of the H1N1 flu vaccination some of which had been previously reported by Remixx World. These include deaths, seizures, paralysis and Guillain Bare Syndrome (GBS), a condition which causes progressive muscle weakness and paralysis (the complete inability to use a particular muscle or muscle group), which develops over days or up to four weeks, and lasts several weeks or even months.

Meanwhile a release jointly issued by the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service last Wednesday, says some of the reported adverse cases of the vaccination by Ghanaians are "not unusual", however, the two institutions are taking such reports with "all seriousness and are following all such adverse events, including the death of someone in Accra."

The statement said that the vaccines in question are World Health Organization (WHO) pre-qualified after satisfying relevant procedures, including safety and efficiency trials. "We are aware of associated adverse reactions following such vaccinations but almost all of them are minor, except an occasional severe event."

It said, as part of the vaccination exercise, post-exposure surveillance has been instituted with all people who receive the vaccine. It said those vaccinated are advised to report all adverse reactions to the nearest health facility for appropriate management and documentation.

It revealed that over two million doses of the vaccine have been given to individuals, and almost all "reported adverse reactions have been mild such as pain and stiffness at the site of injection, fever, headache, running nose and occasional lump in armpit. Almost all of them have resolved after a few days."

"We wish to assure all that, as far as available evidence indicates, the Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine is safe," the statement categorically said. It added the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service are following up and monitoring reports on all adverse reactions following the vaccinations, just as they do after all vaccinations, to inform policy decisions.

Influenza A H1N1 is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. Since the first cases were identified in Mexico in April 2009, many countries have registered cases.

Since the first case was identified in August 2009 in Ghana, surveillance, public education and patient care have ensured reasonable reduction in transmission. To date about 907 cases have been confirmed in Ghana with one infant death.

Globally, as of 2nd July 2010, 61 countries had completed vaccine deliveries to protect their population, administering 45,440,550 doses.

Ghana started its vaccination against Influenza H1N1 on 14th June and has to date administered 2 million doses including 1500 individuals who were protected before traveling to South Africa for the World Cup.

The pandemic influenza vaccine used in Ghana is Pandemrix, according to the statement. The vaccine is safe and complies with WHO recommendation. One dose (0.5ml) administered into the left shoulder muscles (im deltoid) provide protection. The vaccine is not administered to pregnant women in their first trimester and people with known hypersensitivity reaction to any of the vaccine constituents.

Ghana received 2.3 million doses of Pandemrix. The priority groups receiving the vaccine are health care professionals, pregnant women, some security personnel and certain individuals.

The release said the Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) surveillance is kept as in routine immunization and mass campaign exercises. AEFI Forms are available in all health facilities to record and investigate all reports of adverse events linked to vaccine administration. Where adverse events are reported, District Health Teams conduct follow up investigation and make the appropriate recommendations for action.

"There are adequate preparations in all vaccination points in Ghana to manage serious rare and uncommon adverse events. In a mass campaign of this nature it is not unexpected that a few individuals may come up with uncommon or rare adverse events. It is therefore advised that anyone who feels unwell or have any complain and feel it could be related to H1N1 vaccination should report to the nearest facility," the statement concluded.