From pilot to scale: stakeholder perspectives on rolling out the RTS,S/AS01E malaria vaccine in Ghana
1
Department of Allied Health Professions, Sport and Exercise, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
2
The Graduate Group in Demography, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
3
Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
4
Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
5
School of Demography, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
6
School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
7
UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The RTS, S/AS01E malaria vaccine has shown promise in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality among children in high-burden areas. However, understanding stakeholders’ perceptions and identifying effective strategies for its implementation are crucial for successful nationwide rollout. This study assessed stakeholders’ perceived benefits of the vaccine, and explore opportunities and strategies to inform a nationwide rollout of the malaria vaccine.
METHODS:
This study utilized an exploratory, descriptive approach. Through purposive sampling, we recruited caregivers who had defaulted and health service providers directly involved in the planning and delivery of the RTS, S/AS01E vaccine at the district level. In total, five health service providers and 30 mothers (six per focus group discussion) participated in this study. Data were analyzed using NVivo-12, following Collaizi’s thematic framework for qualitative analysis. The study adheres to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.
RESULTS:
Health service providers and mothers acknowledged the health and economic benefits of the RTS, S/AS01E vaccine. Home visitations, community outreaches and child welfare clinics were leveraged as opportunities to facilitate the implementation of the vaccine program in the various districts. In the view of the stakeholders, adopting the following strategies will support a nationwide implementation of the vaccine program: adopting a respectful and client-centered approach, aligning the RTS, S/AS01E vaccine schedule with already established vaccination schedule, adopting mhealth to reduce defaults, introducing a reward scheme for mothers who complete the full dose, and more education/awareness on the vaccine.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings underscore the need for public health actions that prioritize client-centered care, integrate the RTS, S/AS01E vaccine into existing health infrastructures, and utilize community outreach and mHealth tools. By enhancing educational efforts and rewarding vaccine completion, policymakers can improve vaccine uptake, thereby reducing malaria morbidity and mortality on a national scale.
The RTS, S/AS01E malaria vaccine has shown promise in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality among children in high-burden areas. However, understanding stakeholders’ perceptions and identifying effective strategies for its implementation are crucial for successful nationwide rollout. This study assessed stakeholders’ perceived benefits of the vaccine, and explore opportunities and strategies to inform a nationwide rollout of the malaria vaccine.
METHODS:
This study utilized an exploratory, descriptive approach. Through purposive sampling, we recruited caregivers who had defaulted and health service providers directly involved in the planning and delivery of the RTS, S/AS01E vaccine at the district level. In total, five health service providers and 30 mothers (six per focus group discussion) participated in this study. Data were analyzed using NVivo-12, following Collaizi’s thematic framework for qualitative analysis. The study adheres to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.
RESULTS:
Health service providers and mothers acknowledged the health and economic benefits of the RTS, S/AS01E vaccine. Home visitations, community outreaches and child welfare clinics were leveraged as opportunities to facilitate the implementation of the vaccine program in the various districts. In the view of the stakeholders, adopting the following strategies will support a nationwide implementation of the vaccine program: adopting a respectful and client-centered approach, aligning the RTS, S/AS01E vaccine schedule with already established vaccination schedule, adopting mhealth to reduce defaults, introducing a reward scheme for mothers who complete the full dose, and more education/awareness on the vaccine.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings underscore the need for public health actions that prioritize client-centered care, integrate the RTS, S/AS01E vaccine into existing health infrastructures, and utilize community outreach and mHealth tools. By enhancing educational efforts and rewarding vaccine completion, policymakers can improve vaccine uptake, thereby reducing malaria morbidity and mortality on a national scale.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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