Community actors laud government on local vaccine production agenda
A cross-section of community actors have commended the Government’s initiative to establish local vaccine production for emergency and routine immunisation in the country.
They said the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute must go beyond mere creation and be adequately resourced, effectively monitored, and guided by relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to achieve the goal of self-sufficiency.
Mr Emmanuel Opoku, a cell leader for the Bankyease Area of the Christian Faith Church International, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the initiative was a positive step that required public support.
Mr Opoku emphasised that prevention was better than cure, noting that vaccination enhanced the immune system, provided protection against infectious diseases, and safeguarded the health of newborns.
He expressed the view that locally produced vaccines could be more effective since they would be developed with consideration for the local environment.
However, he raised concerns about their affordability.
Elder Opoku said: “On vaccination, I used to have my own doubt particularly when at a point it was widely misconceived that certain vaccines or vaccination can cause premature-ejaculation in men.”
He further urged local pharmaceutical companies such as Kinapharma and Tobinco to scale up production and become competitive, while advocating regular training and retraining for personnel administering vaccines using the best scientific methods.
Madam Maribel Akuorkor Okine, Western Regional Director of the Department of Gender, stressed the need for inclusive communication strategies that addressed the concerns of both men and women.
She noted that women, should be empowered with accurate information to make informed choices, adding that gender-sensitive approaches, would help ensure equitable access to vaccines and increase overall acceptance.
Nana Egya Kwamina XI, Chief of Apremdo, lauded the intervention as key to secure the health of the country particularly during outbreaks of infectious conditions.
He recalled how infant vaccines and immunization had saved many lives and contributed significantly to reducing the six killer diseases among children.
Madam Henrietta Quabu, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan School Health Education Programme Officer, spoke about intervention like Folic acid for girls, routine school immunization as key protection tools that had allowed school children grow and develop well.
She prayed that international best practices would be strictly adhered to in manufacturing the local vaccines, to win the trust of the Ghanaians
Reverend Vincent Amissah, Founder of Outreach Ministry and a community worker, urged the authorities entrusted with supervision to remain transparent, and ensure continuous monitoring to build trust.
He said, “Let us produce reliable, effective and less costly vaccines but of quality standard to serve the nation.”
Source: GNA