Study: Reduced vaccination in Ghana could lead to significant economic losses
There are high economic returns for routine immunization in Ghana, according to a study commissioned by UNICEF and carried out by Ecorys. The study analyzed the potential economic impact of scaling back 14 vaccines and other preventive health interventions.
The cost-benefit analysis from Ecorys – an economics consulting firm – found the loss of preventative health care services in Ghana would mean massive economic losses in the short to medium term. More people would suffer from severe diseases like Pneumococcal (PCV), Malaria, Pentavalent, and BCG if vaccination programs were suspended, which would also have a serious economic impact.
Public spending on health requires the government of Ghana to have strong evidence on hand that can justify budgets on vaccines and other preventative interventions. The study aimed to calculate the actual value for money of preventative health services.
“Our team analyzed the baseline situation and constructed counterfactual no-vaccination scenarios to estimate the impact of preventive interventions on child survival and healthcare cost (savings),” said Michiel Modijefsky, senior consultant at Ecorys.
“In addition to financial and macroeconomic outcomes, the analysis incorporated health gains measured in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) averted. The study serves as a strategic tool for advocacy and resource mobilization within the Ghanaian health sector.”
A holistic perspective
When looking beyond mortality and including DALYs, Ghana should consider a holistic value perspective. The economic argument for investment in preventative health becomes even stronger when considering the broader societal burden, including long-term disability and years of productive life lost.
The analysis also found that nutrition should be a larger part of public health in Ghana. For example, interventions like vitamin A supplements and other supplements that provide micronutrients can have a positive impact on the economy. These interventions help to reduce morbidity.
Long-term resilience
There are also long-term compounding benefits. Ecorys found that economic losses increase substantially over a ten-year horizon if services are suspended. These are services that keep society at large afloat because they keep people healthy and businesses running smoothly.
The findings emphasize that sustainable domestic financing is crucial for Ghana – and Africa more generally – to strengthen its public health system and economy. Strengthening the national procurement system ensures that life-saving vaccines remain accessible to the most vulnerable populations across the country.
Beyond that, integrating these health programs into existing primary care frameworks can boost efficiency and reduce the administrative burden. Ultimately, prioritizing preventative care serves as a cornerstone for achieving long-term national stability and economic resilience.
UNICEF’s commitment
For UNICEF – a UN agency providing global humanitarian and developmental aid to children – these health initiatives are fundamental to the 2026–2029 Child Centered Development Framework, which views child survival as the primary engine for Ghana’s future human capital and national productivity. The organization prioritizes these interventions because persistent health disparities and childhood poverty still affect over 70% of Ghanaian children, threatening to undermine decades of progress in social equity.
By anchoring health services in evidence-based policy, UNICEF has long worked to protect the most vulnerable and ensure that every child reaches their full potential. Ultimately, their commitment stems from the conviction that robust public health is not merely a social service, but a strategic necessity for building a resilient and stable Ghanaian economy.
