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The Public Relations Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), James Lartey says Ghanaians were made aware of the Ebola vaccine trials in Hohoe in the Volta and Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo regions due to fear of the name Ebola.

According to him, there have been over 40 successful chemical tests on HIV/AIDS and Malaria medicines in the country without the knowledge of the public and the Ebola vaccine trial would have been one of such cases if not for the public fear of Ebola virus.

Speaking on Okay FM’s "Ade Akye Abia" Morning Show, Mr. James Lartey said “Over 40 vaccines have been tested in the country without anybody’s knowledge but due to the public fear of the Ebola which is why we came out in public to announce it; we could have done it without informing the public and it would be used successfully and nobody will know anything has taken place”.

“We have done this before so people should not have any fear about it. We handled trials in this country and there have been no problem in the country and so nobody should have fear. Ghana is known for a strong regulation and that is one of the reasons Ghana was chosen for the Ebola vaccine trial,” he added.

Touching on the side effect of the Ebola vaccine, the PRO of FDA admitted he is not previewed to the component of the Ebola vaccine as in the side effect of the vaccine but assured that as part of the protocol of FDA, the researchers under their ethics will tell the participants the side effect of the vaccine.

“As I indicated, this is a vaccine which has been taken to the Lab to determine the side effects on humans….may be for instance they will experience headache for 3 hours or other reactions will take place and all these will be made known to the participants before the vaccine will be administered,” he asserted.