The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced plans to strengthen its National Misinformation Taskforce to swiftly monitor, detect and respond to conspiracy and misinformation that undermines public confidence in vaccines.
In Ghana vaccine hesitancy has increased, with vaccine confidence declining by approximately 14% between 2021 and 2022,according to World Health Organization.
The GHS described the situation as worrying, therefore the taskforce will track various conversations, myths, fake narratives, conspiracy theories, religious and cultural believes that incite vaccine hesitancy.
The move forms part of a broader national effort to improve vaccine uptake and boost confidence among the Ghanaian population.
Dr. Franklin Asiedu Bekoe, Director of Public Health, at Ghana Health Service added that ,the service will also deepen collaboration with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to closely monitor and manage any adverse events following immunisation (AEFI).
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This, he noted, will ensure swift, transparent, and science-based responses to safety concerns to maintain public trust in vaccines.
As part of the initiative, GHS plans to intensify community education and engagement activities nationwide. Community leaders, influencers, and local opinion shapers will be trained and empowered as “vaccine champions” to communicate accurate information and help address public concerns.
Dr. Franklin Asiedu Bekoe said this when National Vaccine Institute (NVI), in collaboration with the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) and other partners, organised a national webinar for selected Journalists to enhance capacity of the media to support immunization programs.
Immunisation remains one of the most effective public health tools to safeguard children’s health and wellbeing.
Dr Selorm Kutsoati, Acting Programme Manager Expanded Programme of Immunisation, GHS through vaccination, many childhood diseases have been conquered .
He said the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) has contributed significantly to Ghana’s health achievements; reducing under-five mortality from 111 per 1,000 live births in 2003 to 40 per 1,000 live births in 2022.
Ghana also eliminated neonatal tetanus in 2011. Routine vaccine coverage has remained strong, with Penta 3 consistently above 95% since 2020 and Measles-Rubella (MR1) above 90% since 2021.
“Neonatal tetanus eliminated in Ghana in 2011, No reported polio in Ghana since 2008, No documented meseals death in Ghana between 2003 and 2021, Pneumonia & diarrhoea in children drastically reduced, no case of meningitis due to Neisseria meningitides, contributed to reduction in incidence of malaria cases” He explained.
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He said vaccine confidence requires a multifaceted approach, strengthening public health infrastructure, increasing funding for preventive care, and addressing emotional, ideological, and contextual factors that shape vaccine attitudes.
Speaking during the webinar, Executive Secretary of AMMREN, Dr Charity Binka said recent hesitancy against HPV vaccination exercise and trend of data underscores the vital role of the media in enhancing vaccine confidence to protect public health.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
