A comprehensive national survey of 13,905 people across all 16 regions and 55 districts of Ghana has revealed that citizens have high confidence in vaccines, though there is a critical need to raise awareness about the country’s plan to begin local vaccine manufacturing by 2027, according to a release from the National Vaccine Institute (NVI).
The findings from the release confirms that 89.7 percent of Ghanaians trust vaccines, and 94.2 percent believe it is a collective responsibility to ensure they are available.
Furthermore, the report indicates that 71.3 percent of those surveyed expressed a willingness to use vaccines produced within the country.
Public trust in the health system remains strong. According to the NVI release, 87.8 percent of respondents trust the doctors and nurses who administer vaccines, while many also expressed confidence in the Ghana Health Service and the Food and Drugs Authority.
However, the findings point to a significant gap in public knowledge. The release highlights that only 14.3 percent of participants were aware that Ghana is currently building the capacity to manufacture its own vaccines by 2027.
The document also notes regional differences; while urban areas like Greater Accra, Central, and Ashanti showed lower acceptance rates, rural communities in the North and the Oti region demonstrated stronger support.
The study identified potential challenges for the future, including the cost of vaccines, the distance to health centers and concerns regarding cold chain storage and transport.
Addressing these findings, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, CEO of the NVI, stated in the release, “Ghana has a strong foundation of vaccine confidence, but success depends on bridging the awareness and trust gap for locally manufactured vaccines. What is needed now is targeted policy and communication strategies to address misinformation, cost barriers and regional disparities in order to encourage uptake.”
To ensure the success of the 2027 manufacturing launch, the NVI announced plans to roll out a nationwide awareness campaign.
This initiative aims to align Ghana with the African Union’s vision to locally produce at least 60 percent of the continent’s vaccines by 2040.
By working with government partners, the media, and community leaders, the NVI aims to turn this high level of public trust into a successful, self-sufficient future for Ghana’s healthcare sector.