“These achievements were made possible under the Expanded Program on Vaccination (EPI)”, a WHO initiative launched in 1974, in a “global effort” to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines for all children, regardless of their location geographic or socioeconomic status, reveals that organization in a statement regarding the release of the report containing the new data.
The report, which assesses the life-saving impact of vaccines, was released today, precisely at the start of this year’s African Vaccination Week and World Immunization Week, which runs from 24 to 30 April under the theme “Safeguarding our future : Humanly Possible.”
With the support of WHO, UNICEF, the Gavi Vaccine Alliance and other entities, most African countries currently receive antigens for 13 vaccine-preventable diseases. At the beginning of the PAV, the region only received antigens for six diseases.
According to the WHO, vaccination has reduced the number of deaths from measles by 15 million in the last 22 years. And the continent also saw a sharp drop in meningitis deaths of up to 39% in 2019 compared to 2000.
Furthermore, “maternal and neonatal tetanus has been nearly eliminated in the region and, in a historic public health feat, the African region was declared free of indigenous wild poliovirus in 2022, after years of tireless work to protect all children from the virus,” the organization said in the statement.
“From prevention to disease eradication, the success story of vaccines is convincing. Millions of people are alive and healthy today thanks to the protection that vaccines offer”, said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, quoted in the note.
“Today we celebrate the monumental strides that governments and partners have made across Africa over the last fifty years to ensure that many more children on the continent live beyond their fifth birthday thanks to vaccination,” said UNICEF Regional Director for Africa Eastern and Southern, Etleva Khadilli.
“Children who are not vaccinated, or in insufficient numbers, often come from communities that do not have all social services. We must focus our efforts on finding them and ensuring they receive the life-saving vaccines and other services they need. Together, with leaders and communities, we can make this a reality”, said Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, also mentioned in the note.
On the other hand, the launch of new vaccines, such as the first against malaria, and the expansion of existing ones, such as the one that protects against the main cause of cervical cancer, also give future generations in Africa “the opportunity to thrive “, highlights the WHO.
