Nine out of ten Ghanaians have faith in vaccines. They also back the idea of making them in Ghana. A new survey from the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) has found this. The study is one of the biggest on vaccine views in the country. It spoke with 13,905 people across all 16 regions.
The survey results show that 89.7% of people trust vaccines. Another 94.2% believe everyone should have access to vaccines. This shows a strong public belief in vaccination programmes. However, there is less knowledge about Ghana's own plans. Only 14.3% of those asked knew about the goal to produce vaccines locally. This will start around 2027.
Ghana's economy is working to become more self-sufficient. This includes in healthcare. For years, Ghana has relied on imported vaccines. Building local production is a key part of this strategy. It helps secure health supplies. It also creates jobs. The African Union wants 60% of vaccines used in Africa made on the continent by 2040. Ghana's plan fits into this bigger picture. Previous efforts to boost local manufacturing have faced challenges. This survey offers a clear view of public feeling.
Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, CEO of the NVI, released the findings. He saidGhana has a strong base of trust in vaccines. He added that success depends on connecting this trust to local vaccines. He called for clear policies and messages. These need to fight wrong information and cost worries. They also must help people in all areas get vaccines. Dr. Sodzi-Tettey thanked the Ghana Health Service and the Food and Drugs Authority for their help.
The survey results will help plan future actions. The NVI will start a campaign across Ghana. This is to raise awareness. It aims to build public support for local vaccine making. The campaign will address worries about misinformation. It will explain how local production works. Citizens will be encouraged to back the programme. This national effort will get help from many groups. This includes government bodies and health workers. It also involves community leaders and the media.
The NVI believes this groundwork is vital. It will guide how the country talks to people. It will help make sure people accept the vaccines. The survey also found differences. Urban areas like Greater Accra showed less vaccine acceptance. Rural areas in northern Ghana and Oti Region showed more trust. People said seeing Ghanaian scientists would boost confidence. Challenges like distance to centres and storage are important. The NVI must fix these to keep trust high.