A new survey shows that nearly 90 per cent of Ghanaians trust vaccines. The National Vaccine Institute (NVI) conducted a nationwide study. Its findings were released on May 26 in Accra. This high confidence is good news for Ghana’s plans to make its own vaccines.
The survey covered all 16 regions of Ghana. Over 13,905 people gave answers. The study looked at trust in vaccines, reasons for accepting them, and problems for local vaccine use. It also checked for fake news about vaccines. Results showed 89.7 per cent of people trust vaccines. Most Ghanaians, 94.2 per cent, believe everyone should help make sure vaccines are available. More than seven out of ten people, 71.3 per cent, said they would use vaccines made in Ghana.
This strong trust in vaccines fits into Ghana’s larger economic goals. Ghana wants to become self-sufficient in health products. Local vaccine production is a key part of this. This ambition is part of a broader strategy to boost domestic industries. It also aims to reduce reliance on imports. The NVI has received support from the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), and the World Health Organisation (WHO). These institutions are vital for the country’s health infrastructure.
Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, the CEO of NVI, highlighted the survey's importance. He stated, “Ghana has a strong foundation of vaccine confidence, but success depends on bridging the awareness and trust gap for locally manufactured vaccines.” He added that targeted strategies are needed for misinformation and cost barriers. The NVI plans a national campaign to tell people about the local vaccine plans. This campaign will involve many groups like government bodies and community leaders. Healthcare workers are seen as key messengers for public trust.
Despite the strong public trust in vaccines themselves, awareness of Ghana's local manufacturing efforts is surprisingly low. Only 14.3 per cent of people knew that Ghana is working on making its own vaccines. The NVI says this shows a need for more public education. This education is important to counter fake news and gain public support. The survey also found differences in trust between areas. Urban areas sometimes showed lower acceptance than rural ones. This means communication needs to be specific to different regions. Challenges like vaccine cost and travel to clinics could also affect use. Reliable storage and transport, known as the cold chain, are also important. Weaknesses here could harm public trust.