The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa has reported a significant increase in vaccine coverage across the continent, resulting in the protection of millions of people from life-threatening diseases such as measles, polio, and cervical cancer. In 2023, vaccination efforts saved at least 1.8 million lives in Africa, showcasing the impact of government initiatives and support from key partners like Gavi, UNICEF, and WHO.
One of the notable achievements in vaccination coverage is the successful vaccination of over 5 million “zero-dose” children in the African region since 2024 through the “Big Catch-Up” initiative. This initiative was launched in 2023 across 24 priority countries to prevent vaccine-preventable outbreaks, save children’s lives, and strengthen national health systems. The region also saw a two-percentage-point increase in diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) immunization coverage among 1-year-olds, indicating a recovery in routine immunization services post-COVID-19.
Furthermore, progress has been made in protecting girls against cervical cancer, with HPV vaccination coverage increasing to 40% in 2023. Africa now has the second-highest coverage rate globally, empowering millions of girls to lead healthy lives. The fight against polio has also seen significant success, with a 93% decline in circulating variant poliovirus type 1 cases from 2023 to 2024.
As the region observes World Immunization Week/African Vaccination Week under the theme “Immunization For All is Humanly Possible,” the focus is on promoting the life-saving power of vaccines to combat vaccine-preventable diseases. Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the need to sustain and expand vaccination efforts to ensure a healthier future for all.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain in reaching all children in the region, with one in four children under-vaccinated and one out of five unvaccinated. Persistent barriers such as limited access to healthcare in remote areas, logistical constraints, vaccine hesitancy, and insufficient funding for immunization programs contribute to these gaps.
To address these challenges, Gavi has launched an ambitious five-year strategy, ‘Gavi 6.0,’ focused on protecting the world against pandemics, vaccinating more children against various diseases, and reducing the number of zero-dose children. A successful replenishment for Gavi will enable the Vaccine Alliance to implement this strategy and sustain progress in immunization.
African governments and partners are urged to accelerate efforts in reducing zero-dose children, increasing routine immunization coverage, introducing the malaria vaccine to more children, and expanding access to HPV vaccines. Key strategies include investing in health systems, enhancing surveillance systems, addressing vaccine hesitancy, increasing domestic funding, leveraging innovation and technology, and investing in research and development.
In 2024, the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) was launched to accelerate the expansion of vaccine manufacturing in Africa, with collaborations signed earlier this year to enhance regional health security. The commitment to these strategies and collaborations will be crucial in achieving the goals of the Immunization Agenda 2030 and building a healthier future for Africa.
This article is distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa and emphasizes the importance of sustained commitment and collaboration to ensure the success of immunization programs across the continent.
