Dr. Albert Opoku Joins Global Health Leaders at Florida Conference, Calls for Action Against Vaccine Hesitancy
The Principal of Tepa Nurses and Midwifery Training College, Dr. Albert Opoku, has called for urgent and sustained efforts to tackle vaccine hesitancy around the world. He made this passionate appeal during his participation in the International Conference on Global Infectious Diseases and Clinical Vaccines held on May 1, 2025, at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Orlando SeaWorld, Florida, USA.
The conference brought together renowned researchers, health experts, and policy advocates from across the globe to discuss innovative strategies to prevent and control infectious diseases through clinical vaccination.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Opoku announced his induction as a member of the Scientific Research Conferences (SRC)—an international community of researchers committed to advancing global health through collaborative studies and innovation. He described his membership as an opportunity to strengthen the role of Ghanaian health professionals in global research and advocacy.
In his speech, Dr. Opoku described vaccination as the cornerstone of public health prevention, but lamented the increasing threat of vaccine hesitancy, driven largely by misinformation and false narratives on social and mainstream media.
“Misinformation has become a serious barrier to vaccine acceptance, undermining decades of progress in disease prevention,” he warned. “We need to deploy evidence-based strategies that respond directly to the fears and doubts of communities.”
He advocated for targeted vaccine literacy campaigns that address specific concerns, such as vaccine safety, side effects, and the importance of timely immunization. According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the global population’s vulnerability to misinformation and underscored the need for proactive public education.
“Multimedia approaches — using radio, television, social media, and community forums — must be adapted to local languages and cultural contexts to be effective,” he stated.
Dr. Opoku also addressed a persistent myth that multiple vaccinations can overload a child’s immune system. He emphasized that such claims are scientifically unfounded and need to be countered with clear, accessible information from trusted health sources.
Referencing the landmark 1905 U.S. Supreme Court case Jacobson v. Massachusetts, Dr. Opoku highlighted the ongoing tension between personal liberty and public health mandates. In that case, the court upheld a state’s authority to require smallpox vaccinations, arguing that individual freedoms can be limited when the health of the broader community is at risk.
“This ruling remains a foundation for public health law and reminds us that safeguarding society sometimes requires difficult but necessary decisions,” he added.
Despite the tremendous achievements made through vaccination—such as protection against over 30 life-threatening diseases globally (WHO, 2024)—Dr. Opoku expressed concern that vaccine hesitancy continues to grow, threatening future gains. He cited a WHO report that revealed 22 million children missed their first dose of the measles vaccine in 2023, a sharp increase from 19.3 million in 2019.
“We must not allow misinformation and fear to undo the progress we’ve made. Every missed vaccine is a risk to both individual and public health,” he concluded.
Dr. Opoku’s participation at the international conference signals a major step in elevating the voice of Ghanaian healthcare leadership on global platforms and reinforces the importance of local expertise in shaping international health policies.
