Hope for Future Generations (HFFG) says Ghana must fulfill its already-delayed 2025 vaccine co-financing obligations to prevent imminent stockouts.
A statement issued in Accra by HFFG said any further delay risks interrupting routine immunization services, leaving millions of children vulnerable to preventable diseases.
Ghana joins the global community to mark Immunisation Week 2025 under the theme
“Immunization for All is Humanly Possible.”
Immunisation remains one of the most impactful and cost-effective ways to protect public health. It plays a critical role in achieving herd immunity and preventing the spread of infectious diseases, including during pandemics.
The statement urged the government to increase health sector allocation progressively to at least 15 per cent of the total national budget as per the Abuja Declaration.
According to the statement, this would ensure sufficient funding for Primary Health Care (PHC) and critical immunisation services.
It said the Government of Ghana must make a yearly advance payment to ensure the availability of vaccines and the avoidance of stockouts.
“This is similar to strategies implemented in other countries, where a one-year advance procurement of vaccines is secured,” it added.
It said Ghana needed a ring-fenced emergency preparedness fund to support surveillance, health system resilience, and rapid outbreak preparedness and response.
The statement said this should include vaccination as a component.
It said as a preventive measure, immunization reduces long-term pressure on our healthcare system and ensures health and economic benefits for all. Between 2000 and 2003 alone, vaccines prevented over 18.8 million future deaths and generated over 250 billion US dollars in
economic benefits in lower-income countries.
It said for these reasons, sustained and equitable financing for immunisation must be treated as a national priority by any government committed to preserving the health and future of its citizens.
The statement said the government’s commitment to expanding health financing through an increased health budget from GHS 15.6 billion in 2024 to GHS 17.8 billion in 2025, and the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) were commendable.
However, it called on the government to match its intention with urgency by prioritizing the timely payment of Ghana’s vaccine co-financing obligation for this year, which is already delayed, to avoid stockouts and preventable disease outbreaks.
“Delays in co-financing payments threaten immunization gains made, with ripple effects on child welfare, public health security, and economic productivity,” it added.
The statement said stock outs compromise Ghana’s gains in vaccine-preventable disease control, reduce public trust in the health system, and could result in outbreaks of several diseases.
Although the 2025 health budget nominally increased by 13.4 per cent, its real value dropped by 23 per cent when adjusted for inflation, diminishing the purchasing power of the health budget allocations.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s health budget allocation for 2025 at 6.32 per cent of the national budget falls short of the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration (2001) benchmark, indicating continued underinvestment in the sector.
The statement said with Gavi set to transition out by 2030, there is the urgency to build a sustainable and independent immunization financing system.
HFFG remains committed to working with the Government and stakeholders to ensure equitable health financing and uninterrupted access to essential health services for all Ghanaians.
“We call on policymakers to act swiftly in addressing these critical gaps to safeguard the health and well-being of citizens,” it added.
GNA
