By Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Takoradi, Oct. 31, GNA – Dr. Charity Binka, Executive Secretary of the African Media and Research Malaria Network (AMMREN), has emphasized the need to empower the media with the necessary knowledge to enhance effective communication and build public trust in vaccine uptake within communities.
She noted that misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and limited understanding continue to hinder progress.
Therefore, strengthening vaccine communication and building the capacity of the media are critical steps toward improving vaccine administration.
Dr. Binka said this during a webinar organized by the National Vaccine Institute.
It was on the theme: “Strengthening Vaccine Communication In Ghana”.
Dr Binka said the media could be relied on as trusted partner in pushing the vaccine agenda, saying,” building media capacity in vaccine uptake is therefore an investment in national health security.”
She said it was important for Ghana to produce its own vaccines, adding that local vaccine production was a matter of survival, sovereignty, and resilience.
She said local vaccine production would ensure timely access, create jobs, build scientific expertise, and position Ghana as a leader in health innovation in West Africa.
According to her, dependence on external supply chains left one vulnerable, citing the painful lessons Ghana experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director Public Health of the Ghana Health Service, called for a multi-faceted approach, including increased funding and investment in infrastructure.
He said improving vaccine confidence among the population through targeted messaging, community engagement, prompt address of rumours and myths, among others, would increase vaccine uptake in the country.
Ghana’s public health system had over the years been responsive to the health needs or challenges with public health system serving as an essential component of resilient health system and the first line of defence against the threat of pandemics.
He said Immunization remained one of the most effective tools to safeguard children health and future well-being, noting the significant strides in reducing infant and under five mortality under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
Dr. Selorm Kutsoati, acting Programme Manager EPI, said Neonatal Tetanus was eliminated in Ghana in 2011 with no reported wild polio case in Ghana since 2008, and no measles documented death in Ghana between 2003 and 2021.
Also, no case of meningitis due to Neisseria meningitides A after the Meningitis A campaign in 2012 and subsequent introduction into routine immunization in 2016.
He noted that strengthened health systems contributed to the reduction of Under Five Mortality from 111/1000 Live Births in 2003 to 40/1000 Live Birth in 2022.
GNA
Edited by Justina Paaga/Christian Akorlie