Could poultry vaccination reduce antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in poultry in Ghana?

SUMMARYAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a global health threat, with poultry production contributing significantly due to widespread antimicrobial use (AMU) in Ghana. Poultry is important for food security and rural livelihoods, yet diseases and limited veterinary oversight drive routine antibiotic administration for treatment, prophylaxis and growth promotion. This unregulated practice has led to alarming resistance levels among pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. with multidrug resistance exceeding 90% in some studies. Major drivers include poor biosecurity, limited farmer education, and routine use of antibiotics in feed and easy access to antibiotics through informal markets. Vaccination offers a suitable alternative to reduce AMU and mitigate AMR. Ghana’s harmonised vaccination schedule, introduced in 2018, targets major viral diseases like Newcastle disease and Infectious Bursal Disease but excludes bacterial vaccines. Consequently, farmers rely heavily on antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Global evidence suggests that vaccination reduces antibiotic use and improves flock health. Integrating bacterial vaccines into Ghana’s national schedule, coupled with stronger regulatory enforcement, farmer education and improved diagnostic capacity, could significantly curb AMU and AMR. We also propose policy reforms that promote prescription-only antibiotic access, incentivise vaccination compliance and enhance surveillance systems. Leveraging poultry vaccination within an improved biosecurity system aligns with global AMR strategies and offers a practical solution to improve poultry health, safeguard public health and improve food security in Ghana.