By Rachel Kakraba
The Chief Executive of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, has emphasized the crucial role of the media in promoting effective vaccine communication, noting that it helps build public trust and acceptance of vaccines. Dr. Sodzi-Tettey highlighted the vital role of vaccines, stressing that when science and communication work together, the impact is far-reaching. He therefore called on media practitioners to collaborate with the NVI to maximize the benefits of vaccination efforts.
“Vaccines can only save lives when people understand, trust and accept it. That is where the media plays a crucial role. Vaccines remain one of humanity’s greatest achievements. They have saved millions of lives, prevented countless disabilities and enabled societies to prosper”
Dr. Sodzi-Tettey, was speaking during a webinar on strengthening vaccine communication in Ghana, organized by the NVI, in partnership with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN). It aimed to equip journalists with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively communicate about vaccines and address misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, cultural beliefs, and public mistrust.
Dr. Sodzi-Tettey noted that vaccination coverage in Ghana currently exceeds 85 percent, leading to a significant decline in vaccine-preventable diseases. He however, cautioned that misinformation about vaccines erodes public confidence and delays lifesaving interventions, emphasizing the need for journalists to serve as a bridge between scientific information and public perception.
“The stories told in newspapers, on radio, television and online, shape how people think, feel and respond to health interventions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation spread faster than the virus itself”
“With education, fact checking and content driven storytelling the media can help dispel misinformation, encourage vaccine acceptance, and strengthen confidence in Ghana’s health system” he added.
Dr. Sodzi-Tettey, stated that accurate ethical and well informed journalism is a cornerstone of public health.
Establishment of the National Vaccine Institute, NVI
Dr. Sodzi-Tettey, noted that while the benefits of vaccines are immense, access to them remains highly unequal. He explained that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed Ghana’s vulnerabilities, highlighting the unsustainability of relying on imports. This realization, he said, led to the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute, NVI.
“Ghana, like many other African countries, faced serious challenges in securing timely supplies. It became clear that depending on imports was not sustainable, and this realization gave rise to a bold national vision to take ownership of vaccine production and research in Ghana. In response, Parliament passed the National Vaccine Institute Act 1097 in 2023, establishing the National Vaccine Institute to coordinate and oversee vaccine research, development and manufacturing”
Adding on “The Institute is to help Ghana attain vaccine self-sufficiency not only to meet national needs, but also to contribute to regional health security. The vision of the institute is to build a self-sufficient, resilient and innovative vaccine ecosystem in Ghana”
Executive Secretary, AMMREN, Dr. Charity Binka, expressed optimism about the partnership between the media and the National Vaccine Institute. She described vaccines as one of the most effective public health interventions in history, saving millions of lives, and noted that their full potential can be realized when people trust and accept them.
“Today, misinformation, vaccine hesitancy and limited understanding continue to threaten progress. That is why I really think that strengthening vaccine communication and building the capacity of the media is crucial. In recent years, misinformation and public mistrust have become major trends to vaccine confidence in Ghana”
She emphasized that the media engagement is essential, as the media serve as trusted voices and educators in advancing the vaccine agenda. According to her, journalists can translate complex scientific data into relatable human stories, hold leaders accountable for ensuring equitable access, and help dispel myths surrounding vaccines.
“Building capacity in vaccine uptake is an investment in National Health security, if really we want people to accept vaccines, then we need to continuously train journalists to propagate the good gospel about the vaccine”
Dr. Binka encouraged beneficiary journalists to be champions of vaccine confidence, seek the facts, challenge misinformation, and tell the stories that move hearts and minds.
The Acting Programme Manager for the Expanded Programme on Immunization, EPI, Dr. Selorm Kutsoati, in a presentation mentioned that Ghana has recorded significant reduction in diarrhoea and pneumonia cases in children as a result of vaccination.
“We’ve had a dramatic reduction in diarrhoea and pneumonia cases in children. When I was in medical school years ago, diarrhoea was very common for children. Now you don’t have that happening so much anymore”
Dr. Kutsoati stated that Ghana is currently in an accelerated phase of its GAVI transition, which means that by 2030, the country is expected to be fully self-sufficient and independently financing its vaccines. This she said will require Ghana to re-strategize to effectively address the vaccine financing gap.
