The National Vaccine Institute (NVI) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening public trust in vaccines and advancing Ghana’s goal of vaccine self-sufficiency through robust media engagement and strategic partnerships.

Speaking at a webinar on “Strengthening Vaccine Communication in Ghana,” the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, underscored the critical role of journalists in shaping public perception and promoting vaccine confidence.

He noted that while Ghana’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has achieved remarkable success — with coverage exceeding 85% for most antigens — vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation, cultural beliefs, and mistrust remains a major challenge.

“A vaccine can only save lives when people understand, trust, and accept it. That is where the media plays a crucial role,” Dr. Sodzi stressed.

He commended the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN), and media partners for their collaboration in promoting accurate and responsible health reporting.

Dr. Sodzi highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed global inequalities in vaccine access and underscored the need for African countries to take charge of their vaccine production. This, he explained, led to the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute under Act 1097 of 2023, to coordinate vaccine research, development, and manufacturing in Ghana.

“The NVI’s vision is to build a self-sufficient, resilient, and innovative vaccine ecosystem in Ghana,” he said, adding that the Institute’s work is anchored on integrity, innovation, collaboration, accountability, professionalism, and impact.

Progress Toward Vaccine Independence

Dr. Sodzi shared key milestones achieved under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, emphasizing the government’s “reset agenda” to ensure pandemic preparedness and health security.

Among the progress outlined were:

Technology Transfer Partnership: A collaboration between Ghana’s Atlantic Lifesciences Ltd. and Indonesia’s PT Bio Farma to accelerate the local production of the Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccine by 2026. The partnership will also help build Ghana’s research and technical manufacturing capacity.

Government’s $50 Million Commitment: In August 2025, the government pledged an additional $50 million seed funding to the NVI and initiated steps toward an Advance Market Commitment (AMC) framework. This will prioritize government procurement of locally manufactured vaccines and sera products, thereby ensuring sustainability for local producers.

Development of a Legislative Instrument: Work is underway to finalize the Legislative Instrument (LI) for Act 1097, which will provide a legal framework for the Institute’s operations and long-term financing.

Media as a Strategic Partner in Health Security

Dr. Sodzi emphasized that scientific progress must go hand in hand with effective communication, noting that misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic spread faster than the virus itself.

“Accurate and responsible reporting is a matter of national health security,” he said. “Health communication is not a one-time effort; it is a continuous collaboration between scientists, health professionals, and the media.”

He urged journalists to embrace evidence-based reporting, fact-checking, and contextual storytelling to help dispel myths and promote confidence in vaccines and public health interventions.

“The story of vaccine development in Ghana is not only about science. It is also about national pride, resilience, and innovation,” he added.

Dr. Sodzi reaffirmed NVI’s readiness to work with the Ghana Health Service, EPI, regulatory bodies, universities, and the media to build a transparent, trusted, and self-reliant vaccine ecosystem.

He concluded by assuring the public that the NVI, together with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and vaccine manufacturers, will adhere to the highest safety and quality standards in all production processes.

“The NVI believes that accurate, ethical, and well-informed journalism is a cornerstone of public health. Together, we can build a future where health information empowers, vaccines protect, and every citizen has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified life,” Dr. Sodzi said.