Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (RITAG) and Immunization Stakeholders' Meeting, 7th - 10th November 2023

Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (RITAG) and Immunization Stakeholders' Meeting

Theme: Bringing together the newly appointed members of the RITAG, sharing vaccine and immunization updates within the Region, and offering an opportunity to discuss topical issues and issue recommendations.


Date: 7-10 November 2023
Venue: WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.

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OVERVIEW


Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective ways of saving lives. The Immunization Agenda (IA) 2030 envisages “a world where everyone, everywhere, at every age, fully benefits from vaccines to improve health and well-being”. To achieve this, the WHO Africa Region has adopted the Regional Framework for the Implementation of the Immunization Agenda 2030 which sets ambitious targets, including eradicating polio and eliminating measles, rubella and maternal & neonatal tetanus, amongst others.

Over the past years, the Region has made tremendous progress in improving access to immunization, thanks to the efforts of governments, public and private sector partners, health workers and communities. Several diseases are now on the brink of elimination or eradication, and new vaccines have been introduced in many countries. New innovations and technologies are also being leveraged to deliver vaccines in hard-to-reach communities and advancing immunization equity.

Despite the remarkable progress and achievements, major challenges remain. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted routine immunization services, new vaccine introduction and vaccination campaigns. It is estimated that a total of 25 million children were un- or under-vaccinated in 2022 (WUE-NIC). This has resulted in various disease outbreaks in many parts of the Region and a heavier disease burden which is devastating not only for individuals suffering from disease, but for communities and countries. Without urgent collaborative action and programme adaptations, vaccine-preventable diseases will continue to claim too many young lives.

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MEMBERS


Biography
Dr Edward Nicol

Senior Specialist Scientist
South African Medical Research Council
South Africa

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Biography
Dr Ijeoma Edoka

Health Economist
University of the Witwatersrand
South Africa

Biography
Prof Nicaise Ndembi

Senior Advisor
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
 Ethiopia

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Biography
Dr Ombeva O. Malande 

Vaccinologist & Senior consultant (Paediatric Infectious Diseases)
Makerere University
Uganda

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Biography
Prof Ahuka Mundeke Steve

Professor of Microbiology
University of Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of Congo

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Biography
Prof Richard A. Adegbola

Research Professor & Consultant Nigeria Institute of Medical Research
Nigeria

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Biography
Prof Rudzani Muloiwa

Head of Department of Paediatrics and Child Health
University of Cape Town
South Africa

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Biography
Prof Sipho Dlamini

Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Cape Town
South Africa

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Biography
Prof Sultan Omar Maneno

Professor of Paediatrics, Infectious Diseases and Public Health
Tanzania

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Biography
Prof Dr Marceline Djuidje Ngounoue

Immunologist/Molecular Biologist
University of Yaoundé I
Cameroon

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Biography
Prof Helen Rees

Chair of RITAG
Executive Director
Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute
South Africa


Biography
Dr Deo Nshimirimana

Health Systems Strengthening Specialist
Former WHO Country Representative
Burundi

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7 November 2023