By Rachel Kakraba
The global community is commemorating World Vaccination Week, observed annually during the last week of April. The occasion draws renewed attention to the critical role vaccines play in protecting lives and strengthening public health systems worldwide. Immunisation is not just a medical success, but a promise nations make to their people, especially children, that their future will not be threatened by preventable diseases.
Immunisation and vaccination
Immunisation is the process of becoming protected from or immune to a disease, while vaccines are the products administered to build that immunity. The World Health Organization, through the Expanded Programme on Immunization established in 1974, estimates that vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives over the past five decades, equivalent to about six lives every minute.
Vaccine production
A Medical Officer in charge of Immunisation at the WHO Country Office, Dr Michael Rockson Adjei, outlined the scientific process involved in vaccine development, which can take between 10 and 15 years.
“We have what we call preclinical trials, where animals like mice and guinea pigs are used to test the vaccine for safety and efficacy before it proceeds to clinical trials, phases one, two and three. In each phase, the number of participants increases, and they are observed for safety and effectiveness before approval is granted for public use,” he explained.
He added that only about 10% of vaccines successfully complete the process.
“For example, during COVID-19, there were hundreds of vaccine candidates, but only a few—less than 10—were approved for use. This shows how strict the standards are,” he said.
Vaccines during emergencies
Dr Rockson noted that in emergency situations, the development process can be accelerated without compromising safety.
“On average, it takes 10 to 15 years for a vaccine to be developed. However, during public health emergencies like COVID-19, the timeline can be shortened without affecting quality,” he said.
He explained that funding is a key factor influencing how quickly vaccines are developed.
“Sometimes inadequate funding delays progress, keeping vaccines in the pipeline longer,” he added.
Ghana’s immunisation journey
Since the 1970s, Ghana has made sustained efforts to protect its population from preventable diseases. The country’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), launched in 1978, now delivers 13 vaccines, protecting against 16 diseases through routine immunisation services.
The Programme Manager of the EPI, Dr Selorm Kutsoati, said the initiative has strengthened primary healthcare and contributed to poverty reduction.
“We started in 1978 with BCG, OPV, DPT and measles vaccines. We also administered tetanus vaccines to pregnant women. Over the years, we have added vaccines such as yellow fever, pentavalent, pneumococcal, rotavirus, measles-rubella, meningitis A, injectable polio, malaria and HPV,” she explained.
Understanding vaccines
Dr Kutsoati explained the purpose of vaccines and the diseases they prevent.
“BCG protects against tuberculosis; polio vaccines protect against poliomyelitis; the pentavalent vaccine protects against hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis and Haemophilus influenzae type b. Other vaccines protect against pneumonia, diarrhoea, measles, rubella, yellow fever, meningitis and malaria,” she said.
Elimination of some childhood diseases
Dr Kutsoati noted that vaccines have significantly reduced mortality in Ghana.
“Neonatal tetanus has been eliminated since 2011. Ghana has not recorded any wild polio case since 2008. Between 2010 and 2021, there were no documented measles deaths. We have also seen major reductions in diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria cases,” she said.
Vaccines are safe
Dr Kutsoati assured the public that vaccines used in Ghana are safe and strictly regulated by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
“The FDA ensures that all vaccines imported into the country meet safety standards. They regularly test samples to confirm their safety,” she said.
National Vaccine Institute
The National Vaccine Institute (NVI), established in 2023, aims to support local vaccine production. Its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, described Ghana’s immunisation programme as one of the country’s major public health achievements.
“Vaccination coverage exceeds 85% for most antigens, and child mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases has reduced significantly,” he said.
He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed global inequalities in vaccine access.
“It became clear that relying on imports is not sustainable. This led to a national vision to develop local vaccine production,” he said.
The establishment of the NVI was backed by legislation—Act 1097 of 2023—to coordinate vaccine research, development and manufacturing.
Ensuring safety in local production
Dr Sodzi-Tettey emphasised that strict standards guide local vaccine production.
“Our partnerships with global experts and strong regulatory systems ensure that no compromises are made in producing safe and high-quality vaccines,” he said.
Resilient health system
The Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Franklin Asiedu Bekoe, said Ghana’s health system has remained resilient despite recent challenges.
“Over the past five years, we have managed several outbreaks, yet the system has remained functional. Despite challenges, we have demonstrated resilience,” he said.
Challenges in immunisation drives
Dr Bekoe expressed concern about declining participation in school-based and adult immunisation programmes.
“Childhood vaccination coverage is strong, but challenges remain in reaching schoolchildren and adults. We need strategies to improve uptake in these groups,” he said.
Vaccine hesitancy
Dr Rockson also raised concerns about vaccine hesitancy.
“Post-COVID-19, vaccine confidence has declined. About 42% of Ghanaians show some level of hesitancy. We need to address behavioural and social factors influencing this trend,” he said.
He urged policymakers to view vaccination as an investment rather than a cost.
Conclusion
In Ghana, vaccines are provided free of charge at all levels of the health system. However, the future of the country’s immunisation programme will depend on sustainability, local production and addressing vaccine hesitancy, particularly in the digital age.
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