Monrovia, 25 April 2016 - The WHO Regional Director for the Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti called upon all African countries to sustain gains and strengthen immunization coverage to reach the unreached communities. This was disclosed during the regional launch of the African Vaccination Week (AVW) under the theme “Close the Immunization gap: Stay Polio Free” in Ganta, Nimba County in Liberia.

The World Health Organization Country Representative Liberia, Dr Alex Gasasira speaking on behalf of Dr Moeti, said that the region has made significant achievements in immunization however, one in five children are still not reached with life-saving vaccines.

“Progress in immunization in recent years has stalled due to numerous challenges related to fragile health systems; family and community factors (supply chain, human resources and community demand), and competing health emergencies,” Dr Moeti said. She also urged countries to use the existing polio infrastructure to strengthen routine immunization and other health programs. 

 This year’s AVW regional launch is the first since the Africa Regional Office celebrated two major milestones: the removal of Nigeria from the list of Polio endemic countries in September, 2015 and the Ministerial Conference on Immunization in Africa (MCIA) in February 2016. Dr Moeti encouraged countries to remain vigilant to ensure that they stay polio free.

The AVW aims to strengthen immunization programs in the region by raising awareness and the importance of the need and right to be protected from vaccine preventable diseases. All countries in the region use the AVW commemorations as an opportunity to keep immunization on national agendas and to deliver life-saving mother and child survival interventions.

Speaking at the same occasion Honorable Larry P. Younquoi, Member of the National Assembly representing district 8, Nimba County called on African governments to prioritize the health sector in the national budgetary allocations.

The Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Health, Dr Peter Coleman reiterated the need for African Countries to purchase life-saving vaccines especially the newly introduced ones. “We must contribute to the health of our children, it is a worthwhile investment that we must not hesitate to do,” he said.

The regional AVW launch in Liberia was integrated with the World Malaria day’s commemoration under the theme ‘End Malaria for Good”. In addition the country launched Rotavirus vaccine into the routine immunization schedule and Human Papillomavirus Vaccine pilot in two counties.

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For more information please contact:

Dr Alex Gasasira: WHO Country Representative Liberia: email gasasiraa [at] who.int ( gasasiraa[at]who[dot]int)

Dr Blanche Anya: email anyab [at] who.int ( anyab[at]who[dot]intt)