Zipline’s Drone Technology is Saving Children Through Vaccine Delivery in Rural Ghana

In remote areas of Ghana, access to essential healthcare services has long been a challenge, especially for families in hard-to-reach communities. Limited infrastructure, transportation barriers, and supply chain issues often mean life-saving vaccines arrive too late or not at all. To address this issue, Zipline, in partnership with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has been leveraging drone technology to revolutionize vaccine delivery.

Over a year, Zipline’s drones delivered over 112,000 vaccine doses, including BCG, MR, PCV, and Pentavalent to children in the target districts. This innovative approach resulted in an additional 14,979 full immunization courses that would have otherwise been incomplete due to logistical constraints.

Since 2019, Zipline’s autonomous drone delivery system has been ensuring that critical vaccines reach even the most isolated communities. A newly published, peer-reviewed study has now confirmed the significant impact of this initiative.

The study focused on four districts in Ghana’s Western North Region, home to approximately 17,000 children under two years old, and found that the drone-based logistics system is not only saving lives but is also a cost-effective and scalable solution.

Delivering Hope and Health

The study found that Zipline’s intervention prevented 688 cases of severe diseases such as measles, pneumonia, meningitis, acute hepatitis B, and otitis media, ultimately saving the lives of four children in 2021 alone. When scaled to cover the entire rural population under two years old, these results suggest that the initiative could prevent approximately 21,000 cases of vaccine-preventable diseases and save more than 190 lives annually.

For parents in these remote areas, these numbers represent more than just statistics; they symbolize peace of mind. Previously, many mothers and fathers watched helplessly as their children suffered from preventable illnesses due to vaccine shortages. Thanks to timely drone deliveries, their children now receive immunizations without delays.

A Cost-Effective Model for Immunization

One of the study’s most compelling findings is the cost-effectiveness of Zipline’s model. The cost of last-mile delivery per vaccine dose using drones was just $0.27—or $0.36 during the early stages—compared to $0.47 per dose for traditional ground transportation. This makes drone deliveries not only an effective solution but also a financially viable one.

Additionally, compared to other public health interventions aimed at increasing immunization rates, Zipline’s model delivers superior returns on investment. The cost of the growing immunization coverage using drones was just $0.66 per Fully Immunized Child (FIC), compared to $0.79 per FIC for mobile vaccination campaigns, $1.19 for pre-filled injection devices, and $3.92 for vaccine administration without age restrictions. This means Zipline’s system ensures that more children are protected at a lower cost.

Economic and Social Impact

Beyond the immediate health benefits, the study also highlights the economic advantages of Zipline’s drone deliveries. By preventing diseases, the initiative significantly reduces the financial burden on families. On average, families saved 58 Ghanaian cedis per disease episode—equivalent to more than three days’ wages at the country’s minimum wage.

More severe diseases, such as tuberculosis and acute meningitis, previously cost families around 600 Ghanaian cedis per case—more than a month’s wages. By ensuring vaccine availability, Zipline’s system helps prevent such high medical expenses, allowing families to allocate resources toward other essential needs.

For the broader healthcare system, these savings are just as impactful. By preventing outbreaks and reducing hospital visits, the initiative helps free up resources for other critical healthcare services, such as maternal care and emergency treatments. The study estimates that at least 65% of drone delivery costs are offset by the savings generated from disease prevention alone, making this a highly sustainable model.