Africa plans to step up vaccine safeguards

African Union leaders have agreed on measures to revamp routine immunization after disruptions to health services caused by COVID-19 resulted in increased outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 36th ordinary session of African Union heads of state and government on Sunday, in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, leaders endorsed a declaration that aims to revitalize efforts to provide universal access to immunization, to reduce mortality, morbidity and disability.

The declaration called for urgent measures to address persistent bottlenecks in vaccine and healthcare delivery systems, especially the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized communities. It also aims to reaffirm Africa's commitment to meet the goals of the Immunization Agenda 2030, a global strategy to save more than 50 million lives.

Estimates by the UN Children's Fund and the World Health Organization indicate that 8.4 million children in Africa failed to receive immunization services in 2021.The figure was 18 million globally.

Immunization coverage for many vaccine-preventable diseases in Africa is now below the 90 to 95 percent range needed to keep the continent free of these diseases.

Last year, 18 African countries reported measles outbreaks. New polio cases not only reemerged in counties that had not experienced the virus in decades but also crossed borders to the UK, the US and Israel.

Children at risk

The WHO said the development shows that neglecting routine immunization puts children and communities everywhere at risk.

Julius Maada Bio, president of Sierra Leone, said it is possible for African countries to achieve the national and global immunization targets, including eradication and elimination goals.

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's regional director for Africa, said 31 countries are now experiencing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable disease, including 17 that are dealing with more than one disease.

African leaders have the mandate to secure sustainable financing toward increasing immunization access, said Minata Cessouma, the AU commissioner for health, humanitarian affairs, and social development.