Lockdowns and vaccinations: Could COVID-19 interventions reduce long-term COVID-19 consequences in Ghana?

Abstract

Shirley Crankson from Brunel University used an agent-based model to simulate long-term economic and epidemiological effects of lockdowns and vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. Shirley Crankson’s work provided a perspective on pandemic responses in resource-constrained settings. The study found that a combination of whole-population vaccination and periodic lockdowns could reduce COVID-19 related health outcomes by over 90%, and targeted vaccination of high-risk groups could further reduce mortality by 13%. These findings provide critical insights for policymakers in Ghana, suggesting that maintaining a balance between broad and tailored interventions can offer substantial health and economic gains when resources are limited.