Global immunization experts who attended the biannual Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (RITAG) meeting have urged African countries to strengthen their routine immunization so as to reduce child death rate. This was disclosed during a telephone briefing organised by the World Health Organisation, (WHO) regional office for Africa where WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti and WHO Programme Manager for Immunization, RITAG Chairperson Helen Rees and Vaccine Development Dr Richard Mihigo, spoke.
Speaking during the briefing, Dr. Rees said over the past five years, immunization coverage in sub-Saharan Africa has stagnated at 72%, exposing populations to vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks. The immunization experts also emphasized the importance of increased domestic investment in disease surveillance and the need for community engagement to drive vaccine deployment during outbreaks.
During the briefing, it was disclosed that in sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 31 million children younger than 5 years suffer from vaccine-preventable diseases every year and that more than a half million of them die due to lack of access to the vaccines they needed. Dr. Rees also stated that in 2017, Heads of State from across Africa endorsed the Addis Ababa Declaration on Immunization, a historic pledge that envisions an Africa in which every child, no matter their economic circumstances, has access to vaccines.
On his part, Dr Moeti said this year, (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, in partnership with the African Union Commission, will launch a progress report on the implementation status of the 10 commitments outlined in the Addis Declaration which will take stock of progress made over the past two years, highlight gaps and issue recommendations to guide progress towards stronger immunization systems. โBy vaccinating children, we are doing more than preventing diseases and saving lives. We are also ensuring that children get the education they deserve and returning valuable time to their families because they no longer need to make long hospital visits. Vaccinations also release scarce government funds,โ he said.
