Ghana to roll out HIV preventive vaccine by 2026

The Ghana AIDS Commission has unveiled plans to introduce an HIV preventive vaccine in 2026 as part of its renewed strategy to curb the spread of the virus. The announcement comes at a critical time, with the country recording more than 15,000 new infections in 2023, according to the latest national HIV/AIDS data.

Director-General of the Commission, Dr. Prosper Akanbong, said the vaccine rollout represents a major step forward in prevention efforts.

“As a country, we have already put the vaccine as a main component of our HIV prevention programme. Initially, we will secure it from outside, but with the pharmacy organisations that you see here, they have positioned themselves to be able to produce the vaccines locally,” Dr. Akanbong explained at a press briefing on Tuesday, September 30.

He noted that the Commission has already engaged pharmaceutical companies with the support of the German development agency GIZ to ensure a sustainable supply chain.

“Together with GIZ, we are on track, and in the latter part of 2026 or the early part of 2027, we should be able to produce vaccines for Ghana,” he added.

The move is expected not only to strengthen HIV prevention but also to build local pharmaceutical capacity.

HIV/AIDS in Ghana

Ghana continues to battle significant challenges in its HIV response. Data from the Ghana AIDS Commission and UNAIDS show that an estimated 354,000 people were living with HIV in 2023, with women and young people particularly affected. Despite progress in expanding access to antiretroviral therapy, new infections remain high, with over 15,000 reported in 2023.

The Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Eastern regions recorded the highest burden of cases, while stigma and inadequate testing continue to hinder early detection and treatment. Public health experts say that introducing a preventive vaccine could be a “game-changer” in reducing transmission rates, particularly among high-risk groups. The Ghana AIDS Commission is expected to release more details on pilot programs and target groups for the rollout in the coming months.

Source: 3news.com