Accra: The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is preparing to launch a mandatory typhoid vaccination programme targeting food handlers throughout the country. This initiative aims to curb the spread of typhoid fever and enhance public health safety. Under the new programme, individuals working as food handlers, including street vendors, market sellers, restaurant and hotel staff, and employees of food and beverage companies, will be required to receive the typhoid vaccine before they can continue their operations.
According to Ghana Web, the vaccination campaign will commence following an official launch by the Ministry of Health alongside the Ghana Health Service. The vaccine, which offers protection for up to three years, is expected to significantly minimize the risk of typhoid transmission through contaminated food and water. The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies typhoid fever as a severe infection caused by Salmonella Typhi, usually spread through contaminated food or water, and stresses its potential to cause severe illness or death.
The GHS reports that from 2021 to 2025, Ghana registered 720,582 cases of typhoid, underscoring the ongoing public health challenge posed by the disease. Food handlers are particularly at risk due to their frequent contact with food consumed by the public. Although routine medical screenings are conducted, they have not entirely bridged prevention gaps, making vaccination a crucial supplementary measure.
At a recent stakeholder engagement meeting, Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, emphasized that typhoid fever remains endemic in Ghana, posing significant public health threats. He outlined that the vaccination programme would be rolled out in phases and integrated into health certification requirements for the food industry. Dr Asiedu-Bekoe also warned that unvaccinated food handlers would not be permitted to operate, citing vaccination as a cost-effective intervention compared to yearly medical screenings.
Additionally, Dr Asiedu-Bekoe assured stakeholders of the vaccine's safety, noting it is WHO pre-qualified and approved by the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority. The Director of Public Affairs at GHS clarified that while the vaccine would not be free, it will be subsidized to remain affordable. Food handlers must present proof of vaccination to continue working.
Dr Selorm Kustsoati, Programme Manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), mentioned that vaccines would be distributed via regional and district health structures at a subsidized cost. Beneficiaries will receive proof of vaccination for registration and certification by Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
The initiative signifies a strategic shift from reactive screening and treatment to proactive prevention in combating typhoid fever in Ghana. The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Tourism Authority, MMDAs, development partners, and stakeholders within the food and hospitality sectors. Comprehensive implementation guidelines have been developed through stakeholder consultations.
Beyond vaccination, the programme includes public education campaigns and media engagement to foster trust and awareness. According to GHS, the initiative aligns with Ghana's national health agenda and universal health coverage goals, representing a crucial public health measure to safeguard consumers and improve food safety standards nationwide. For food handlers, vaccination will soon become a mandatory requirement, ensuring safer food practices across the country.