The National Vaccine Institute (NVI) has launched a nationwide Vaccine Perception Survey as part of efforts to strengthen public confidence in locally manufactured vaccines, ahead of Ghana’s transition from support by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) by 2030.
In a statement issued on February 19, 2026, the Institute described the survey as a strategic and forward-looking initiative aimed at ensuring vaccine sustainability, sovereignty and long-term national health security.
The exercise, which began on February 16 and will end on March 10, 2026, is being conducted in 55 districts across all 16 regions of the country.
The survey will collect quantitative data from 11,077 respondents through structured interviews using random sampling techniques. In addition, seven focus group discussions will be held in selected districts to generate qualitative insights into public perceptions and concerns.
According to the NVI, the study seeks to assess public attitudes towards vaccines, identify key drivers of vaccine confidence, examine barriers to accepting Made-in-Ghana vaccines, and track misinformation trends that could undermine vaccine uptake.
The Institute noted that vaccine confidence is not uniform across the country. While certain parts of northern Ghana have reported relatively higher levels of hesitancy, some urban centres are contending with misinformation dynamics that differ significantly from those in rural communities.
To ensure national representativeness, the selected districts cut across metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.
Approximately 200 respondents are being interviewed per district to enable district-level estimates and allow for meaningful regional comparisons.
The districts were selected based on geographic diversity, varying levels of vaccine hesitancy, strategic importance to the rollout of locally produced vaccines, and accessibility for effective fieldwork.
Chief Executive Officer of the NVI, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, stressed that the initiative is rooted in community engagement and evidence-based planning rather than persuasion.
“This is not a sales pitch. We genuinely want to listen and understand. The information provided is strictly confidential. Together, we build vaccine confidence that protects every Ghanaian,” he stated.
He further emphasised that Ghana’s longstanding reputation as a leader in immunisation within West Africa must be safeguarded as the country advances into domestic vaccine manufacturing.
The NVI explained that the findings will inform geographically tailored communication strategies to support the rollout of Ghana-made vaccines. The data will also help distinguish between attitudinal hesitancy and structural barriers, enabling health authorities to design more targeted and effective interventions.
Additionally, the study is expected to establish a national baseline for vaccine confidence across regions and demographic groups, and to assess how approval by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) influences public willingness to accept vaccines.
The Institute has therefore urged residents in the selected districts to cooperate with field teams, assuring that participation is voluntary and responses will remain confidential.
By bridging vaccine manufacturing with public trust, the NVI believes Ghana can ensure that locally produced vaccines are not only scientifically sound but also widely trusted and embraced by the population.
By; Nana Yaw Owusu (0240782639).
