Accra: The Paediatric Society of Ghana (PSG) and the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) have advocated for robust collaboration with civil society organisations to maintain immunisation efforts and curtail infections among children.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Daniel Adu Asomaning, Monitoring and Evaluation and Vaccine Safety Officer at the Ghana Health Service's EPI, emphasized that such partnerships would enhance community engagement and improve the understanding and acceptance of vaccination. His remarks came during a stakeholders' consultative meeting on an Immunisation Advocacy Project, organized by the International Paediatric Association in collaboration with the PSG, with backing from the Gates Foundation.
Mr. Asomaning highlighted that the project, launched in October 2025 and scheduled to conclude in 2028, aims to facilitate the introduction of new vaccines, develop policies to achieve and maintain high coverage, address vaccine hesitancy, and foster a sense of urgency. This initiative also seeks to empower healthcare providers to strongly recommend new vaccines to parents and caregivers, support governments in dispelling myths and misconceptions, and ensure vaccine accessibility at all levels.
He noted that since its inception in 1978, Ghana's EPI has achieved significant milestones, including the elimination of neonatal tetanus since 2011 and a notable reduction in measles-related deaths. While measles, a leading cause of childhood mortality in the 1980s and early 1990s, recorded no deaths between 2003 and 2021, vaccine stock-outs in 2021-2022 led to limited outbreaks. Furthermore, Ghana has not recorded any cases of wild poliovirus since 2008, underscoring the impact of sustained vaccination efforts.
However, Mr. Asomaning cautioned that maintaining these achievements demands reliable financing, especially as donor support dwindles. He noted that Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is phasing out its support to Ghana by 2029-2030, increasing the financial responsibility on the Government. He stressed the need for a deliberate roadmap and designated budget lines for immunisation, emphasizing that vaccination is an investment rather than an expense, and urging the government to commit finances for sustainability.
Professor Anthony Kwame Enimil, an infectious diseases paediatrician and member of Advocates Against Illegal Mining, reiterated the critical role of vaccination in preventing infectious diseases and mitigating the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance. He warned that failure to sustain immunisation efforts could result in significant loss of life. Prof. Enimil noted that preventing infections through vaccination significantly reduces the use and misuse of antibiotics, a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance. He highlighted cases where patients fail to respond to all available antibiotics, leading to preventable deaths and the spread of drug-resistant infections within communities.
Dr. Hilda Mantebea Boye, President of the Paediatric Society of Ghana, stated that immunisation remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, yet many communities continue to face challenges such as misinformation, limited access, funding gaps, and weak advocacy structures. She called for collective expertise, influence, and commitment to ensure that every child has access to life-saving vaccines.
The meeting convened policymakers, health professionals, civil society organisations, development partners, community representatives, and advocates committed to protecting children's lives.