Consultant neurosurgeon Teddy Totimeh has warned that vaccine hesitancy, fuelled by misinformation and COVID-19-era distrust, is contributing to the global resurgence of preventable diseases.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday (23 April), he said the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted public confidence in vaccines due to uncertainty, conspiracy theories and inconsistent narratives around the virus.
He explained that the pandemic also interrupted routine immunisation programmes as movement restrictions, fear of infection and supply chain disruptions reduced hospital visits and vaccine access.
“There is now what we call backsliding in vaccine coverage,” he said, noting that several countries have seen a decline in immunisation rates since COVID-19.
Dr Totimeh linked this trend to the re-emergence of diseases previously considered controlled, including measles outbreaks in parts of the world.
He warned that even high-income countries have not been spared, citing recent outbreaks of measles and meningitis linked to gaps in vaccination coverage.
Despite concerns, he said scientific evidence continues to support the effectiveness of vaccines, pointing to rapid global responses to diseases such as Ebola and mpox.
“The science tells the story. If we trust it, we reduce suspicion and protect lives,” he said.
Dr. Totimeh urged parents to ensure full completion of childhood immunisation schedules, stressing that Ghana’s child health system provides clear vaccination records through well-child clinics.
He warned that missed clinic visits remain a key gap in coverage, particularly after the first months of a child’s life.
“We cannot afford to let diseases that have been conquered come back,” he said.
