By Peter Agengre
Some parts of Northern Ghana are reporting higher hesitancy toward Made-in-Ghana vaccines, while urban centres are grappling with a different wave of misinformation largely driven by social media narratives and global anti-vaccine movements.
In response to these emerging trends, the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) has launched a nationwide Vaccine Perception Survey to better understand public attitudes and guide targeted interventions.
The survey, which is being rolled out across all 16 regions, seeks to gather data on trust levels, sources of information, cultural influences, and concerns surrounding locally manufactured vaccines. According to the Chief Executive Officer of the NVI, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, the initiative is critical to strengthening Ghana’s immunization programme and ensuring equitable access to accurate information.
Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey explained that while some northern communities have expressed caution about vaccines produced locally, urban populations are increasingly influenced by misinformation circulating online. He noted that understanding these distinct dynamics will enable the Institute to craft region-specific communication strategies rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
The CEO emphasized that Ghana has made significant investments in local vaccine research and production capacity, and public confidence remains central to the success of these efforts. He urged citizens to participate fully in the survey, assuring them that responses will remain confidential.
“This is not a sales pitch. We genuinely want to listen and understand. The information provided is strictly confidential. Together, we build vaccine confidence that protects every Ghanaian,” he stated.
The findings are expected to inform future public education campaigns and policy decisions aimed at boosting vaccine acceptance nationwide.
