Journalists urged to champion vaccine advocacy as Ghana marks 2025 African Vaccination Week

File Photo

Journalists have been called upon to take centre stage in the fight against vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, as Ghana joins the rest of the continent to commemorate the 2025 African Vaccination Week and Child Health Promotion Week in Ghana.

At a special webinar jointly organized by the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN), the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), and the Ghana Health Service (GHS), media practitioners were urged to wield their storytelling power to promote accurate, life-saving health information.

Prof. Francis B. Zotor, Vice Chair of AMMREN, emphasized the essential role of journalists in fostering public trust in vaccines.

"Vaccination success depends not only on science and logistics, but also on trust, information, and public confidence and that’s where journalists come in," he said.

This year’s theme, "Every Child Deserves a Healthy Future: Invest in Your Child. Attend 'Weighing' Regularly," speaks directly to the mission of journalists as "educators, clarifiers, and champions of truth," Prof. Zotor added.

He emphasized that journalists must go beyond reporting official statements to tell the human stories behind immunization efforts—highlighting mothers walking miles to clinics, showcasing local health successes, and holding institutions accountable with compassion and accuracy.

Prof. Zotor further called on all stakeholders, including health professionals, civil society, and religious leaders, to work together to ensure no child is left behind, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach areas.

"Every child vaccinated is a step toward a stronger, healthier Ghana," he declared.

Joining the call to action, Dr Frank John Lule, Officer-in-Charge of the WHO Country Office in Ghana, reaffirmed the World Health Organization’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s journey towards universal health coverage.

"Immunization is not just a public health intervention; it’s a fundamental human right and a shared responsibility," Dr. Lule stated.

Reflecting on the progress made over the past 50 years of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), Dr Lule noted that vaccines have saved an estimated 154 million lives, reduced infant mortality by 40%, and protected people against more than 30 deadly diseases.

However, he warned that gaps remain. In 2023 alone, 6.7 million African children were recorded as ‘zero-dose’ children—those who received no vaccines at all. Measles outbreaks and vaccine-derived poliovirus also remain persistent threats across the continent.

Dr Lule praised Ghana's immunization programme as one of Africa’s strongest and encouraged journalists to use their platforms to combat misinformation, amplify success stories, and promote trust in vaccines.

"You are trusted voices. Always seek information from credible sources like the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, WHO, and CDC," he urged.

Mrs Bridget Anim, Deputy Director for Health Communication at GHS, emphasized that trust is crucial for vaccine decision-making. She urged journalists to rely on credible sources like the Ministry of Health and WHO to prevent the spread of misinformation, which can undermine public confidence in vaccines and undo progress in disease prevention.

Both speakers emphasized the importance of strong media-health partnerships to drive vaccine confidence in Ghana.