Latest news with #AfricanVaccinationWeek
The Citizen
29-04-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Why are some SA children still not vaccinated?
HPV vaccination, which can prevent cervical cancer and other related diseases, remains an essential but underutilised intervention. As the African Vaccination Week concludes on Wednesday, 30 April 2025, serious concerns remain about the number of South African children and adolescents not receiving life-saving vaccines. According to the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), efforts to increase vaccine uptake must urgently address the complex reasons behind vaccine hesitancy. This comes as the continent commemorates African Vaccination Week, observed from 24 April to 30 April, a time that highlights the crucial role of immunisation in preventing disease and saving lives across the continent. ALSO READ: Gauteng Health and EMS on high alert for Easter flood emergencies Deeper issues behind missed vaccinations Findings from two recent reviews by Cochrane South Africa (Cochrane SA), a unit within the SAMRC, highlight why some parents and caregivers do not vaccinate their children. According to the unit's specialist scientist, DR Sara Cooper, the reviews draw on global qualitative studies to identify the personal, social, and systemic barriers to vaccination. '[Our findings] highlight that effective public health interventions must go beyond simply providing access to vaccines. They must also address the broader context in which vaccine decisions are made,' Cooper said. While vaccines are widely recognised as one of the most effective tools to prevent serious illness and death in children, the research shows that poor caregivers may be deterred by poor access to health facilities, transport challenges, and unaffordable indirect costs. 'Others experience distrust in vaccination programmes due to broader political concerns or past negative interactions with health systems. 'Cultural and social norms, as well as individual health beliefs, also play a critical role,' Cooper noted. ALSO READ: Health MEC says Tembisa Hospital still operational after fire, confirms no injuries [PICS] HPV vaccine under threat The research also examined Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among adolescents. HPV vaccination, which can prevent cervical cancer and other related diseases, remains an essential but underutilised intervention. Cooper added that limited knowledge about the vaccine, confusion over decision-making roles in families, and cultural attitudes about adolescence, gender, and sexuality all contribute to low uptake. 'Caregivers and adolescents are also heavily influenced by extended social networks, media messages, and their trust (or lack thereof) in institutions such as schools, governments, and the pharmaceutical industry,' she said. ALSO READ: Flexicare brings affordable healthcare within reach for South African communities No one-size-fits-all solution Cooper cautioned against one-size-fits-all approaches. 'Some parents in high-income countries may resist vaccination due to a belief in individual choice and risk management that conflicts with public health messaging,' she said. However, in lower-income areas, social exclusion and unreliable public services foster distrust in health programmes. The specialist scientist highlighted that information campaigns alone are insufficient. 'The most common interventions only target a narrow range of concerns, mainly around knowledge and risk. Yet the actual reasons for hesitancy are far more diverse and nuanced,' she added. Cooper concluded by urging policymakers, researchers and programme implementers to engage more deeply with the communities they serve. 'Tailoring vaccination efforts to local realities — including cultural norms, access barriers, and trust dynamics — will lead to more relevant, acceptable, and ultimately more effective interventions.' NOW READ: Zam Buk: The winter go-to
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Measles and rubella vaccination campaign protects children in Lunda Norte
Maria da Graça, who lives in the municipality of Chitato, remembers with sadness one of the most difficult moments in her life. In 2024, her eldest daughter, then four years old, fell ill with measles. "It started with a fever, then the spots appeared. She became very weak. I was afraid I was going to lose her," says Maria, her eyes watering. Although her daughter survived, the disease left deep scars and a fear that never left her. Maria's story is shared by many families in Chitato, Dundo and Mussungue, the three municipalities that recorded more than 200 cases of measles between November 2024 and March 2025. Most of those affected were children under the age of five, the group most vulnerable to the disease. "Measles is highly contagious and dangerous. It can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, diarrhea, blindness and even lead to death," explains Augusto Muachissaco, Chitato's municipal health director. "Children between the ages of six months and four years are the most vulnerable. If we don't act now, cases will continue to rise and more lives will be at risk." To contain the spread of the disease and protect children, the health authorities in Lunda Norte, with technical and logistical support from The World Health Organization (WHO), carried out an intensive measles and rubella vaccination campaign between March 20 and 25, 2025. 'The WHO worked closely with the local health authorities to ensure safe vaccines, trained professionals and an efficient campaign capable of reaching all children, even in the most remote areas,' said Dr. Noémia Silva, WHO immunization officer in Angola. The campaign included fixed vaccination posts in health units, schools and communities, as well as advanced teams in the communities, ensuring that no child was left behind. As soon as she heard about the campaign, Maria also took her youngest son, who is one year old, to the post set up at the school in her neighborhood. "The vaccine is a guarantee that we won't go through the same anguish again. Now my two children are protected." Thanks to the collective effort, almost 30,000 children have been vaccinated in the three municipalities. Thousands of families are now safer, better informed and better prepared to protect their children from possible health threats. The initiative by the province of Lunda-Norte resonates deeply as a call to collective action, at a time when the African continent is celebrating African Vaccination Week, under the theme 'Vaccination for all is humanly possible'. This action demonstrates that with local initiatives, everyone's support and the active involvement of the community, it is possible to move towards the 'Great Recovery of Zero-Dose Children' and protect citizens from preventable diseases. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, but it is also completely preventable through the administration of a safe and effective vaccine. Vaccinating is an act of love, responsibility and hope. Together, we can eliminate measles and save lives. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Angola.
Zawya
25-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
African Vaccination Week 2025: Big Catch-Up and vaccine introduction to boost South Sudan's health
Mrs. Lavina Mariba, today, celebrated the launch of the African vaccination week as a proud mother, with all her three children fully vaccinated and every family member up to date with their shots. 'All my children are fully vaccinated, my husband and I as well,' said Mariba 'my children have not fallen ill for the past eight months, and I believe this is the work of vaccine, I am proud of it.' Narrated Mariba. Mrs. Mariba, a 32-year-old resident of —a suburb of Juba—has joined the rest of her community in the official celebration of African Vaccination Week 2025 at a nearby Kator Primary Health Care Centre in Juba. From 24 to 30 April, South Sudan will celebrate African Vaccination Week (AVW) under the theme 'Immunization for All is Humanly Possible'. This year's commemoration coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), which, over the past five decades, has driven progress in combating vaccine-preventable diseases, saving lives and promoting health. In South Sudan, the country's national immunization programme has progressively introduced life-saving vaccines, expanding coverage with lifesaving vaccines. BCG (tuberculosis vaccine), Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), measles (first dose), and Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccines were first introduced in 1976. This was followed by the introduction of the Pentavalent vaccine in 2015 and the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) in 2016. Subsequently, the tetanus-diphtheria booster (Td) and second dose of IPV were introduced in 2021. Most recently, the malaria vaccine was added to the routine immunization schedule in 2024. This year, with the support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the country is introducing additional vaccines, including the Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (PCV), the Rotavirus vaccine, and the second dose of Measles-Containing Vaccine (MCV2) to its routine immunization programme, keeping children safe from pneumonia, measles and diarrhea. South Sudan's Ministry of Health highlighted the progress that has been driven by the Expanded programme on Immunization and called on the people of South Sudan to take an active role by getting vaccinated. 'As we observe African Vaccination Week, we celebrate progress while passing an important message to our communities that individual health is a personal responsibility. It starts with you. While the Government, through its health entities, is working to ensure protection from vaccine-preventable diseases by introducing these new vaccines, the responsibility to make use of them to protect yourself and your family is in your hand,' said Dr Anin Ngot Mou, Under-Secretary of South Sudan's Ministry of Health. Data from the WHO Regional Office for Africa shows that since the celebration of the first African Vaccination Week in 2011, countries in the region have used the occasion to conduct a wide range of activities including advocacy, communications, vaccination campaigns, and other high impact health interventions. As a result, over the past 14 years, more than 180 million individuals of all age groups were reached with different vaccines; an estimated 120 million were reached with Vitamin A supplementation and 100 million children with deworming tablets. The World Health Organization continues to advocate for immunization as a cornerstone of global initiatives aiming to rid the world of vaccine preventable diseases and achieve global health goals. 'Vaccination is the most cost-effective tool to save lives and the first line of defense for protection against disease. WHO commends the Government's efforts and support by partners to ensure the successful introduction of new vaccines into South Sudan's routine immunization programme. 'Prioritizing pregnant women and children will be key to building a safer and healthier population, helping us to save lives and build a robust health system,' said Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative for South Sudan. Over the past five decades, immunization has saved more than 154 million lives—an average of over 3 million lives each year. In Africa, immunization has saved over 50 million lives and data modelling shows that in 2024, a child under age 10 in Africa had a 50 per cent higher chance of surviving to their next birthday than they would have had in the absence of vaccination programmes. "The introduction of these new vaccines marks a major milestone in South Sudan's efforts to ensure no child dies or becomes sick because of a vaccine-preventable disease. As we commemorate African Vaccination Week and 50 years of immunization progress, we are reminded of the extraordinary power of vaccines to give every child a fighting chance. UNICEF remains committed to working with the Government and partners to ensure every child, no matter where he or she lives, is reached with life-saving immunization services," said Noala Skinner, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan. Despite ongoing routine vaccination efforts, the program has faced numerous challenges during the reporting year, including outbreaks of measles, yellow fever, cholera, and cVDPV2. Additionally, the influx of returnees and refugees fleeing the Sudan crisis, coupled with severe flooding and consequent internal displacement, has strained health systems. These challenges have, nevertheless, not halted the delivery of immunization services, which continue, both within and outside health facilities, even in affected areas. To address the significant immunization backlog accumulated between 2019 and 2022, as well as to reach children who defaulted on routine vaccinations in 2023 and 2024, the Government of South Sudan has also launched the 'Big Catch-Up' vaccination initiative. This national effort is aimed at identifying and reaching all children under the age of five (0–59 months) who have either missed one or more antigens or have never received any routine immunization doses. Through this initiative, South Sudan is intensifying efforts to close immunity gaps and prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, which remain a persistent threat due to low routine coverage in many parts of the country. As part of the campaign, the Ministry of Health—working in close coordination with key partners such as WHO and UNICEF—is rolling out catch-up vaccination activities in 30 counties across the nation. These efforts specifically target 146,054 zero-dose children those who have not received a single dose of any routine vaccine with the full schedule of routine Expanded Programme on Immunization vaccines. It is in this regards that this year the AVW celebrates and recognizes the collective efforts to save and improve countless lives from vaccine-preventable diseases and underscores that immunization for all is an achievable goal. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - South Sudan.
Zawya
25-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Vaccination progress helps save millions of lives in African region
An increase in vaccine coverage in Africa is helping protect millions of people from life-threatening diseases such as measles, polio and cervical cancer. In 2023, vaccination saved at least 1.8 million lives in the African region, nearly half the global figure of 4.2 million. These advancements have been possible thanks to government efforts and the support from partners including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO) and others. More than 5 million 'zero-dose' children – children who have not received a single dose of an essential routine vaccine – in the African region have been vaccinated since 2024 through the 'Big Catch-Up' initiative launched in 2023 in 24 priority countries to protect communities from vaccine-preventable outbreaks, save children's lives and strengthen national health systems. Despite a growing birth cohort between 2022 and 2023, the region recorded a two-percentage-point increase in the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) immunization coverage among 1-year-olds, from 72% to 74%, an important sign of recovery in routine immunization services post-COVID-19. This progress means that amid a rising number of births, governments are vaccinating more children each year than ever before. Notable gains were seen in Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique and Uganda. In addition, more girls than ever are being protected against cervical cancer, a disease that kills a woman every two minutes worldwide. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage (one dose) has increased to 40% in 2023 up from 28% the year before – making Africa the region with the second highest coverage rate globally, empowering millions of girls to fulfil their potential. Africa has also made tremendous progress in the fight against polio, recording a 93% decline in circulating variant poliovirus type 1 cases from 2023 to 2024 and a 65% decrease in variant poliovirus type 1 cases in just the past year. This year, World Immunization Week/African Vaccination Week, which is being marked under the theme Immunization For All is Humanly Possible, aims to promote the life-saving power of immunization to protect people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases. 'We have made great progress in expanding vaccination and saving lives, thanks to the dedication of governments and partners. But we still have more ground to cover. We must sustain and expand these life-saving efforts to build a stronger, healthier future for all,' said Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa. Despite the progress, challenges persist in reaching children in the region. One in four children remain under-vaccinated (missing out on key routine vaccines) and one out of five children are unvaccinated, with many countries facing recurring outbreaks, particularly of measles – a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease. These gaps, which leave the region vulnerable, can be attributed to persistent barriers including limited access to healthcare in remote areas often due to conflict and instability, logistical and cold chain constraints, vaccine hesitancy driven by misinformation, and insufficient funding for immunization programs. These challenges are further compounded by disruptions caused by public health emergencies. 'The progress seen across African countries—bolstered by an unprecedented record of co-financing toward vaccine programmes in 2024 by African governments—demonstrates the tangible impact of sustained commitment,' said Thabani Maphosa, Chief Country Delivery Officer at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. 'However, this momentum must not stall. Conflict, population growth, displacement, and natural disasters are creating ideal conditions for outbreaks to emerge and spread. Investing in immunization and securing sufficient funding for Gavi to carry out its mission over the next five years is essential to protect our collective future.' Building on the gains in Africa, Gavi has launched an ambitious five year strategy, 'Gavi 6.0' which is anchored on three key pillars: protecting the world against pandemics and disease outbreaks; protecting people by vaccinating more children against more diseases than ever before - including reaching 50 million children with the malaria vaccine by 2030; and protecting communities by reducing the number of zero-dose children. A successful replenishment for Gavi will enable the Vaccine Alliance –a coalition of partners that includes 39 African governments - to implement this impactful 6.0 strategy and will enable countries to protect and advance the progress that has been made to date. Full engagement across the Alliance to obtain the necessary funding over the next few months will be critical. 2025 also marks the mid-point of the Immunization Agenda 2030, which aims to prevent diseases, promote equity and build strong immunization programmes. To achieve these goals, African governments and partners are encouraged to accelerate progress towards reducing zero-dose children, increase routine immunisation coverage, accelerate malaria vaccine introductions and expand access to HPV vaccines. Maintaining the progress achieved in immunization over the years will also require regional commitment to implement key strategies. These include increasing investment in health systems and infrastructure for effective vaccine delivery; enhancing surveillance systems to respond swiftly to outbreaks; addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation; bolstering domestic funding for immunization programmes; increasing the use of innovation and technology for better vaccine delivery; and investing in research and development for vaccine development. In 2024, Gavi and partners launched the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), a financing mechanism established to make up to US$ 1.2 billion available over ten years to accelerate the expansion of commercially viable vaccine manufacturing in Africa. Two new collaborations under this initiative were signed earlier this year, in a positive step towards enhanced regional health security. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Zawya
25-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Campaign in Angola: Vaccination for all is humanly possible
From April 24 to 30, 2025, Angola joins the other countries on the African continent to mark the 15th edition of African Vaccination Week (AVW), an initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO), which aims to promote vaccination as a fundamental right and one of the most effective public health interventions. Under the slogan 'Vaccination for all is humanly possible', this year's campaign highlights the importance of ensuring equitable access to vaccines for all people, especially children with 'zero doses'. In Africa, millions of children have missed out on routine vaccinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other disruptions to health services. Angola is among the most affected countries, ranking third on the continent in the number of children with 'zero doses', totaling more than 500,000 children. African Vaccination Week represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen political commitments, mobilize communities, and revitalize the country's national and international partnerships that sustain vaccination programmes. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, vaccination prevents more than 20 potentially fatal diseases and saves around 3 million lives every year. WHO studies also show that investing in vaccination is essential to prevent debilitating diseases such as measles, polio and tuberculosis, significantly reducing healthcare costs by minimizing the need for medical treatment and hospital admissions. Consequently, the benefits go beyond the health sector and result in substantial returns in several dimensions: sustainable economic growth, increased productivity, improved quality of life, higher levels of schooling, and strengthened community resilience. The Angolan government has made significant efforts to strengthen the immunization programme, including allocating a budget for the purchase of vaccines, investing in refrigeration equipment, and plans to introduce new vaccines, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. During the 1st National Forum on Primary Health Care and Immunization, held in June 2022, the Angolan government reaffirmed its commitment to immunization as a strategic platform for achieving universal health coverage. On the occasion, the Minister of Health stressed that 'the investment that Angola has made in the Vaccination Programme is a reflection of the Executive's commitment to strengthening the National Health Service, to increase access, guarantee equity, promote humanization and encourage innovation in essential health services'. To achieve these goals, the country has relied on the continuous support of strategic partners, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Gavi - Alliance for Vaccines, the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, among others, to ensure that no child is left behind. However, several challenges remain, namely the limited capacity for adequate storage and transport of vaccines, the lack of local infrastructure to ensure their safe arrival in all communities, the shortage of qualified immunization technicians, and the still insufficient coverage of vaccination services in the country. To strengthen the vaccination system in Angola and help children with incomplete vaccination schemes recover, it is necessary to intensify the actions underway, speeding up the implementation of urgent and crucial measures. These include increased investment by the government, the allocation of more financial resources for healthcare and vaccination programs. It is also essential to improve vaccination infrastructures, support public policies prioritizing health, strengthen immunization programmes, foster collaboration with international partners and the private sector, and actively involve communities. Improving vaccination coverage means, above all, strengthening and expanding fixed, mobile, and advanced vaccination teams at the community level. African Vaccination Week 2025 is, above all, a call to action: to protect every child, every family, and every community. Because vaccinating everyone is possible, and humanly urgent. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Angola.
