Message of the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, on the occasion of African Vaccination Week 2016

From 24-30 April 2016, countries in the African Region will commemorate the 6th edition of the African Vaccination Week (AVW) with the theme: “Close the immunization gap. Stay polio free.” The goal of AVW is to strengthen immunization programmes in the African Region by raising awareness on the importance of every person’s need and right to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. It aims to keep immunization high on national and regional agendas through advocacy and partnerships. It also promotes delivery of other high-impact lifesaving interventions.

The theme for this year’s commemoration – “Close the Immunization gap. Stay polio free.” – draws attention to the need to attain universal immunization coverage in the African Region. It is also a celebration of the important polio eradication milestone that has been reached in the African Region, and a reminder that countries need to remain vigilant to ensure they stay polio free.

Progress has been made in immunization in the Region over the last decade. Some of the key achievements include an increase of the coverage of the 3rd dose of Diphtheria-Tetanus- Pertussis vaccine from 52% in 2000 to 77 % in 2014, the decline in Measles deaths by 86% during the same period, and acceleration of the introduction of new vaccines.

Despite these achievements, one in five children still does not receive all the basic vaccines they need (Yellow fever, measles, polio, etc). Progress in vaccination coverage in recent years has also stalled. This is due to the numerous challenges related to fragile health systems, family and community factors (supply chain, human resources, community demand…) that deter community participation, health emergencies of global and regional significance that compete for attention and resources with routine immunization. 

The commemoration of the sixth edition of the AVW occurs at an important juncture in the history of immunization in the African Region as it follows two important events that have taken place during the past six months: Nigeria’s removal from the list of Polio endemic countries in September 2015, and the first ever Ministerial Conference on Immunization in Africa (MCIA) held in February 2016 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where political leaders from the African continent reaffirmed their commitment to  reach every child with the vaccines they need. 

Over the past few years, the commemoration of AVW has provided a unique opportunity to implement a variety of activities ranging from advocacy and social mobilization to immunization and other health related activities. 

As we commemorate the sixth edition of the AVW, I call on all countries and partners to sustain and strengthen the gains made in immunization coverage, carry forward the momentum from the Addis Ababa Ministerial Conference and stay accountable to the commitments made at the Conference, and close the immunization gap once and for all. I also urge countries to use the huge polio infrastructure acquired over the years across the Region to contribute towards broader immunization and health goals.