Immunization Remains Key to Safeguarding Children’s Health and Future – Director of Public Health
The Directorate of Public Health of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has expressed concern over the continuing issue of vaccine hesitancy in the country, despite Ghana’s strong commitment to improving its public health systems.
According to the Service, Ghana has made significant progress in strengthening disease surveillance, enhancing response mechanisms, and promoting preventive health measures. Immunization, it emphasized, remains one of the most effective tools for safeguarding children’s health and ensuring their future well-being.
Speaking on the topic “Strengthening Public Health Systems and Sustaining Vaccine Confidence in Ghana” during a webinar organized under the auspices of the Africa Malaria Media Network (AMMREN), the Director of Public Health at GHS, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, highlighted the achievements of Ghana’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
He noted that the EPI has played a pivotal role in reducing infant and under-five mortality rates — from 111 per 1,000 live births in 2003 to 40 per 1,000 live births in 2022.
Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe also disclosed that neonatal tetanus was eliminated in Ghana in 2011, while routine vaccine confidence and uptake have remained generally high, with Penta 3 coverage at 95% and above since 2020 and MR1 coverage at 90% and above since 2021.
Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
Despite these successes, Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe expressed concern about reported vaccine hesitancy among some segments of the population. He identified misinformation and disinformation as key factors undermining public confidence and trust in vaccines.
“Vaccine confidence is a spectrum,” he explained, “and low confidence often leads to reduced vaccination rates and uptake. Multiple studies consistently show that lower confidence correlates with decreased vaccination coverage.”
He added that understanding vaccine confidence requires appreciating the complex mix of belief-based, emotional, ideological, and contextual factors that influence people’s attitudes toward vaccines — including rumours and myths.
Concerns about vaccine safety and side effects, he noted, remain major barriers to confidence. “Fear of negative side effects and lack of trust in vaccine safety — often fueled by anti-vaccine rumours and myths — contribute to hesitancy,” he said.
Religious and spiritual beliefs, Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe added, also influence vaccine confidence in some communities.
COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence
Touching on COVID-19 vaccine confidence, Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe revealed that Ghana’s average Vaccine Confidence Index stands at 67 out of 100, with notable regional variations. Areas in and around Tamale recorded relatively higher confidence levels (between 70 and 90), while the rest of the Northern Region scored 67 or below.
He identified convenience, particularly the time required to receive vaccines, as a key factor influencing hesitancy. Other drivers include complacency, perceived personal and social risk, and trust in the vaccine’s safety and efficacy. “Those who believe in the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness are more likely to get vaccinated,” he emphasized.
Sustaining Vaccine Confidence in Ghana
To sustain vaccine confidence, Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe proposed strengthening the National Misinformation Taskforce to monitor conversations influencing vaccine uptake and to develop strategies to address rumours.
He also called for stronger collaboration with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to effectively monitor and manage adverse events following immunization (AEFI), ensuring prompt, evidence-based responses to safety concerns.
Additionally, he urged for enhanced community engagement and education to raise awareness about the benefits of vaccines.
“Strengthening Ghana’s public health system requires a multi-faceted approach,” he stated. “We need increased funding, investment in infrastructure, reorientation toward preventive care, and improved vaccine confidence through targeted messaging, community engagement, and timely response to misinformation.”
Media’s Role in Vaccine Confidence
In her remarks, the Executive Director of the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN), Dr. Charity Binka, emphasized that vaccines remain one of the most effective public health interventions in human history.
“The power of vaccines can only be realized when people trust and accept them,” she said, highlighting the need to strengthen vaccine communication and build media capacity.
She described misinformation and public mistrust as major threats to vaccine confidence both in Ghana and globally, noting that the media play a vital role as trusted voices and educators.
“Journalists translate scientific data into human stories, hold leaders accountable for equitable access, and help dispel myths that endanger lives,” Dr. Binka said.
She revealed that AMMREN, in collaboration with GHS (EPI), WHO Ghana, and other partners, has been working to build a pool of journalists trained in vaccine reporting. A National Vaccine Media Network, she announced, has also been established to provide a platform for information sharing and learning.
Building a Resilient Future
Dr. Binka concluded by stressing that the future of Ghana — and Africa at large — depends on vaccines.
“It is time for Ghana to develop the capacity to produce its own vaccines,” she asserted. “The COVID-19 pandemic taught us a painful lesson: dependence on external supply chains leaves us vulnerable. Local vaccine production is a matter of survival, sovereignty, and resilience. It will ensure timely access, create jobs, build scientific expertise, and position Ghana as a leader in health innovation in West Africa.”
